Five Fishermen Missing: The Escape to Fuerteventura of a Vessel Involved in a Shipwreck
The incident that unfolded off the coast of Tan-Tan has escalated from a tragic maritime accident into a complex international legal case. The Libyan-flagged vessel, Njm Al Shama, is currently docked at the port of Agadir under the watchful eye of Moroccan authorities, who view it as the primary suspect in the sinking of one of their fishing boats. This unfortunate event has resulted in the disappearance of five fishermen and has sparked an ongoing investigation to uncover the full details of what transpired.
Flight Towards the Canary Islands
One of the most critical pieces of information being scrutinized by investigators is the ship's trajectory following its collision on March 25. Automatic Identification System (AIS) records indicate that the Njm Al Shama neglected to activate rescue protocols and failed to assist the crew of the sunken vessel, Miss Dakar 2. Instead, it embarked on a maneuver to flee northward. For nearly 48 hours, the fishing trawler attempted to seek refuge in the waters near Fuerteventura, seemingly aiming to evade the direct jurisdiction of the Moroccan Navy while buying time.
As the vessel neared the Canary Islands, a significant event occurred: the evacuation of the captain. Citing a supposed medical emergency, the captain of the Njm Al Shama was transported to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, as reported by various specialized maritime media sources, including The Maritime Executive. This evacuation took place before the ship could be intercepted, suggesting a deliberate attempt to evade legal accountability in Morocco for the incident.
On March 27, the Moroccan Royal Navy intervened, escorting the vessel back to Agadir before it could drift further from the Tan-Tan coast. Upon inspection, Moroccan authorities discovered crucial evidence, including fresh scratches and dents along the starboard side, along with traces of fresh paint that may have been applied during the ship's escape to obscure the impact marks from the sunken fishing boat.
As families of the five missing fishermen anxiously await news near the shores of Dakhla, Moroccan justice has detained six crew members of the Libyan vessel. They face serious charges, including failure to assist at sea and negligent homicide. Meanwhile, cooperation between Spanish and Moroccan rescue services remains active, aimed at locating the missing fishermen and determining the legal responsibilities of the captain, who remains within Spanish territory while international legal proceedings are underway.
As reported by atlanticohoy.com.
