Spanish police are investigating a grisly series of bodies found in the sea off a tourist coast. Some of the bodies have their hands and feet bound.
Spanish police are investigating disturbing discoveries in the Balearic Islands, where at least five bodies have been found in the sea off the resorts of Ibiza and Formentera in the past month, some with signs of binding that could indicate violent deaths.
The Daily Mail reports this.
One of the bodies, wearing a life jacket, was found in the sea off Formentera on May 18. It was spotted from a private Belgian boat, after which a patrol boat from the Spanish Civil Guard arrived. The deceased had his hands and feet tied.
Similar incidents were repeated over the following weeks, with bodies being recovered from the waters of the Balearic Sea and each case being followed by a criminal investigation. Forensic experts take DNA samples or fingerprints if possible.
The preliminary version of the investigation is that the victims were migrants trying to reach Spain from Algeria. It is likely that a conflict arose between passengers or smugglers on board the boats, after which some of the victims were shackled and thrown overboard.
The region has seen an increase in sea crossing attempts. Between June 20 and 22 alone, more than 340 people were rescued trying to reach the Balearic Islands by boat. In total, around 2,700 migrants have arrived since the start of the year.
These tragic incidents shock tourists. On the beaches of Ibiza, Mallorca and Formentera, bodies are regularly found in varying states – from partially decomposed to skeletonized. In some cases, only body parts are found. That is why local media have already called the resort beaches “the cemeteries of the Mediterranean”.
Police are continuing their investigation, but acknowledge the complexity of the case – most of the passengers on illegal boats are afraid to testify or simply disappear. Authorities are keeping maritime surveillance active, preparing for new arrivals during the favorable weather season.
