Survivors of Galicia’s Villa de Pitanxo Tragedy to Testify in Madrid
The three survivors from the Galician fishing vessel Villa de Pitanxo will travel to Madrid to testify before the National Court in a pending case linked to the sinking that occurred 450 kilometers off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, on February 15. The ship is associated with Pesquerias Nores, the company at the center of ongoing legal actions and delayed statements from the owner and his nephew. The testimony dates once scheduled for June 6, and it involves the third survivor, Samuel Kwesi, though a formal date has yet to be confirmed.
The court has delayed the appearance for a week to allow the shipowner’s counsel to prepare the interrogation. The National Court has also ruled that the three witnesses must attend in person in Madrid, even though there had been requests to appear via videoconference.
In total, the three seafarers who survived a tragedy that claimed 21 lives will appear before the National Court’s No. 2 Court of Inquiry. The ship’s captain, Juan Padín, is to face the investigation as the case owner while two other survivors, Eduardo Rial and Samuel Kwesi, will act as witnesses. The proceedings are set to begin at 9:30 in the morning, with notifications beginning at that time. Although the court has not officially declared authorization to investigate the Galician fishing boat sinking, it is expected to take up the case given the urgent circumstances involved.
The National Court has shown willingness to move forward even as the case awaits a formal determination on jurisdiction. There was discussion about transferring the matter to Marín, the town where the vessel is registered, but the Pontevedra court declined to block the process. The court noted that the alleged crimes under investigation occurred on the high seas, beyond the home port’s jurisdiction.
Family demands
Last Saturday, the families of those who perished gathered in Náutico to press for a deeper dive into the wreckage in search of video evidence. They criticized the lack of equipment being deployed to the fishing grounds, calling attention to the ongoing absence of crucial tools for underwater exploration. The most visible hurdle remains the limitation of the rescue and investigation assets and the debate over the best way to retrieve material that could clarify what happened on the night of the sinking. A representative from the families noted the need for a robot capable of functioning in deep water and questioned the government’s understanding of the equipment available for such operations. If the vessel cannot carry the remotely operated vehicle ROV, another vessel should be directed to the site, they argued, emphasizing the urgency of reconstructing events to relieve the families’ concerns.
Eduardo Pazo, speaking for one of the families, criticized the ship’s captain and his nephew, who survived the disaster, for presenting a version that contradicts that of another rescued crew member, Samuel Kwesi. Pazo urged both survivors to come forward with the truth, stressing that time remains to tell the full story and that the sea community and the families of all 21 victims will persist in seeking a thorough investigation.
Pazo announced that families will be in Madrid again next week as the Prime Minister is scheduled to appear before Parliament to discuss pertinent national issues. They hope the Prime Minister will address promises made to the affected families and provide clarity on how the government intends to follow through. The families also criticized Galicia’s labor minister for not meeting with them, and called for the government to consider the resignation of regional officials and maritime authorities involved in the case.
Throughout the process, the narrative remains one of urgency and accountability. The survivors and the families insist that all responsible parties face scrutiny, and they continue to push for transparent investigations that can withstand public and legal scrutiny. The tragedy that cost 21 lives has become a focal point for discussions about maritime safety, search and recovery capabilities, and the effectiveness of oversight in international waters. The path to truth, they say, is a shared obligation that requires persistence and a clear commitment to justice for the victims.