Nigerian man, four others found washed ashore with hands tied in Spain, died of starvation at sea- Family

The harrowing truth has emerged about a Nigerian and four other migrants whose bodies were discovered off the coast of Mallorca, Spain, with their hands and feet bound.

They were initially feared to be murder victims, but their grieving relatives have now revealed that the men, a Nigerian and four Somalis, died from starvation and dehydration during a two-week ordeal at sea, and were bound according to Islamic burial customs before being cast into the ocean.

The victims had set out from Algeria in a small boat in an expedition organised by two Nigerians to cross to the Spanish island of Mallorca and begin new lives in Europe.

However, their vessel’s engine failed on the second day, leaving them adrift on the open sea.

Starving and dehydrated, they survived on just one date a day, and in desperation, some began drinking their own urine and seawater—ultimately a fatal decision.

Disturbing images and video footage released by Diario de Ibiza showed the desperate migrants crammed into the fragile boat, waving orange sticks in an attempt to signal passing ships.

Survivors, aged between 15 and 27, were later found to be suffering from severe dehydration, open wounds, and infections, according to Red Cross responders.

Tragically, five of the migrants perished during the crossing.

The bodies, some found off the island of Formentera on May 18 and in the days that followed, wore orange vests and had their hands and feet bound.

The brother of one survivor explained that in Somali Islamic tradition, when a person dies, their body is typically wrapped, and their limbs bound in a specific manner as part of funeral rites.

Without access to burial materials, the survivors could only perform the tying ritual before respectfully releasing their deceased companions into the sea.

Medical reports confirmed that the cause of death was not violence but metabolic failure, including hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis—conditions brought on by extreme hunger and lack of sugar in the blood.

The migrants, mostly Somalis, were accompanied by two Nigerian men believed to be the trip’s organisers.

One of them died during the journey. The other was arrested by Spain’s National Police and now faces charges including organising illegal immigration, reckless homicide, bodily harm, and belonging to a criminal organisation.

Authorities have labelled the Balearic Islands a “migrant graveyard” as the region remains on high alert for further tragedies.

The story has sparked fresh outrage and heartbreak as it highlights the extreme risks migrants take in pursuit of a better life.