Madrid, Jun. 23, (dpa/GNA) – The bodies of several people, believed to be migrants, have been found drowned with their hands and feet bound in the waters off Mallorca and neighbouring Balearic Islands, Spanish police said on Monday.
A spokesman said police have launched a murder investigation following the gruesome discovery. “As the investigation is ongoing, we cannot provide any further details,” he added.
The dead are believed to be migrants trying to reach Europe from North Africa via the Mediterranean, a popular but dangerous route for refugees from various countries.
Spanish media previously reported that five bodies had been found with their hands and feet bound in the waters around the Balearic Islands off eastern Spain in recent weeks.
Refugees often burn their identity documents before embarking to try to avoid deportation. This also makes it difficult to identify people’s remains.
The Spanish authorities have ordered autopsies of the bodies and taken DNA samples in case relatives one day make contact.
At the beginning of the year, several decomposed bodies washed up on the beaches of Mallorca, apparently of migrants who had drowned in a boat accident.
GNA
PDC