Ibiza boat trial: 15 adrift without fuel or water

Fifteen passengers drift for hours without fuel, water or food on a boat bound for Eivissa, Ibiza. On Thursday, a man accused of steering the boat faces trial before the Balearic Islands Provincial Court. Prosecutors are seeking six years in prison over an alleged offence against the rights of foreign nationals.

The boat left Chercell, Algeria, in the early hours of 8 July and reached the port of Eivissa about 22 hours later, after help from the maritime rescue service Salvamento Marítimo. Prosecutors say it carried no safety or rescue equipment, putting those aboard at risk of shipwreck on the open sea.

Two protected witnesses identified the accused as the person steering the boat. Each said they paid around €3,000 for the journey. Their testimony, recorded ahead of the trial, is due to be heard in court.

Topics: Court cases · Sea rescue

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com