An 18-year-old Algerian who was a minor at the time of his arrest last summer in Alicante by the National Police has agreed to a sentence of two years and three months in a juvenile facility. He was accused as the master of a filibuster boat that sank with 17 people aboard, three of whom died in the open sea, and he was charged with assaulting the rights of foreign nationals and aiding illegal immigration in conjunction with another case of negligent homicide.
The tragedy occurred at sea on the night of August 16, 2023. On board were 17 people, and investigations show that two of the individuals were the operators, though one of them became a victim of the sinking.
Disaster at sea
After the boat went down, the 17 occupants tried to survive. Among them were a 6-year-old girl and a baby who had been placed inside an open water bottle in a desperate attempt to keep it afloat. Three people lost their lives, including a person who removed his life vest and let himself sink rather than continue to struggle.
The remaining 14 survivors spent several hours in the water. They were located and rescued about 40 miles off Santa Pola by a fishing boat, and Salvamento Marítimo transported them to the port of Alicante.
In the wake of the event, authorities pursued investigations to determine the roles of the various individuals involved, including the identities of the boat’s operators and how responsibilities for the tragedy were distributed. The case drew attention to broader concerns about migrant crossings and the safety of vessels used in various border-crossing efforts. Citations: National Police reports and maritime rescue records indicate the sequence of events and the outcomes for those involved.
As the legal process progressed, the young Algerian agreed to the proposed sentence, reflecting the court’s assessment of his actions and their impact on the victims and their families. The resolution highlights the gravity of harm caused by unsafe migratory practices at sea and underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks and rescue operations in international waters. Further statements from authorities emphasized the need to balance accountability with the complexities faced by those attempting perilous journeys across borders. Citations: judicial proceeding summaries and maritime safety briefs provide context for the case and the surrounding safety discussions.