According to Spanish authorities, nine migrants have been arrested in the Canary Islands after trying to force a Vroon platform supply vessel to head there and not Morocco.
In particular, on 2nd October, at a location approximately 50 nautical miles northeast of Lanzarote, the easternmost island of the Canary Islands, the OSV Vos Pace came upon two migrant boats
As informed, the first boat had about 44 people aboard. The second was located shortly after, and had another 35 occupants. The majority were men from North African nations, along with a dozen women and children. All 79 were taken aboard.
Vos Pace set off towards the port of Tan Tan, Morocco to transport the survivors since the encounter took place in seas inside the Moroccan area of responsibility for maritime rescue.
Nine migrants ordering the crew to go for Spanish territory in the Canary Islands so they could apply for asylum there. According to EFE, the crew altered course towards Fuerteventura after learning that some of the migrants had been “very aggressive” and pulled knives when they realised, they were returning to Morocco.
As explained, the nine suspects were taken into custody. The guys are accused with piracy, which carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in jail.