Five Migrants Found Dead off Spain After Starving at Sea, Bindings Linked to Funeral Rite
Five young African men were found dead in the waters off Majorca, Spain, their hands and feet tied in a manner that initially raised suspicions of foul play.
They were among a group of migrants who had set sail from Algeria in hopes of reaching Europe, but their journey ended in tragedy after the boat’s engine failed just two days in—leaving them adrift without food or clean water for two weeks.
The deceased mostly Somali nationals were later found to have been part of a sacred burial ritual, not victims of violence.
Survivors explained that the bindings were in accordance with Islamic funeral customs observed in Somalia.
In the absence of burial cloths, the group used rags to respectfully tie the limbs of the dead before releasing them into the sea.
Ten days after the rescue, the first of five bodies each wearing an orange life jacket washed ashore near the island of Formentera.
Survivors, aged between 15 and 27, described a grim ordeal. They survived on a single date per day and, as desperation grew, drank their own urine.
Some consumed seawater—a decision that proved fatal. One migrant, according to the Red Cross, was found clutching a tube of toothpaste, which he had eaten to ease hunger.
Medical teams treating the survivors reported severe dehydration, infections, and wounds. Autopsies revealed the victims died of hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, and metabolic collapse—conditions brought on by extreme starvation and fluid loss.
Footage published by Diario de Ibiza shows passengers aboard the small, crowded boat waving sticks and gesturing desperately for help.
The group had launched from Algeria bound for Spain’s Balearic Islands, but their hopes quickly deteriorated when the vessel lost power, leaving them stranded in open water.
As Mirror UK reported, all the migrants were Somali nationals, except for the two alleged skippers, who were Nigerian.
One skipper died during the crossing, while the other was arrested by Spanish authorities and now faces multiple charges, including facilitating illegal immigration, reckless homicide, bodily harm, and participation in a criminal organization.
Authorities ruled out homicide after forensic investigations revealed no signs of physical violence. Both the Red Cross and the victims’ families confirmed that the bindings were consistent with Islamic burial practices.
In Somali tradition, bodies are tied at the limbs when conventional burials are not possible—especially at sea.
This case underscores the peril faced by migrants risking their lives across the Mediterranean. Behind every overcrowded vessel is a story of hope, desperation, and too often—heartbreak.
This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the human cost of unsafe migration routes and the urgent need for safer, dignified alternatives.
