A scandal has erupted in Mauritania following a serious incident in the Atlantic Ocean: the captains of two fishing vessels have been arrested. The cause was a collision on Friday off the country’s coast, which led to the sinking of one of the trawlers, owned by a Galician company. There were 26 people on board, including Spaniards as well as citizens of Mauritania, Ghana, and Senegal.
While the investigation continues, five crew members remain missing. All are Mauritanians. The vessel, sailing under the Mauritanian flag, quickly sank after a collision with a Russian ship registered in Gambia. Rescue operations began almost immediately, and nearby vessels managed to pull 21 people from the water. Among those rescued were not only Spaniards, but also nationals from other West African countries.
Seven people sustained injuries of varying severity, one of whom is in serious condition. According to coast guard officials, the search for the missing continues without pause. In the near future, a Spanish Civil Guard aircraft is set to join the operation to expand the search area and increase the chances of locating the missing.
The Mauritanian authorities have already announced the launch of a technical investigation to shed light on the causes of the collision. The results of the investigation are expected to clarify what led to the tragedy and whether it could have been prevented. Meanwhile, the families of the missing and injured await news, while Spain’s fishing community discusses safety and responsibility at sea.
