Spanish police are investigating multiple alleged sexual assaults on teenage girls who say they were targeted aboard a cruise liner after their drinks were spiked. Up to ten girls aged 15 and 16 have come forward to authorities, who have confirmed an active investigation.
Incident Details
The Civil Guard in Barcelona, where the ship docked on May 1, has taken statements from eight alleged victims. Two additional complaints were filed with the Ertzaintza, the main police force for the Basque Country. All the girls attend the same school in the Basque Country and were on a privately organized trip aboard the unnamed cruise liner when the alleged assaults occurred.
No Arrests Yet
No arrests have been made, but sources close to the investigation confirm that suspects—adults not part of the girls' group—have been identified and located. Barcelona was both the start and finish point for the four-day Mediterranean cruise. Basque Government Security Minister Bingen Zupira confirmed that two complaints were received by Basque police.
A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Barcelona said: “We were made aware of alleged incidents involving minors when the cruise liner docked here on May 1. The possible authors would be adults. Officers received several complaints and have taken a number of statements, and an investigation is ongoing. A local court has been informed, and it will be up to the court to determine what happens next.”
Nature of Allegations
A source explained: “This is being treated as an investigation into possible sexual assaults, which under Spanish law covers a multitude of different types of behaviour, ranging from inappropriate touching to rape. We're not going to specify exactly what allegedly happened, but we're not talking here about rape but other types of behaviour which are also criminal.” They added: “Officers are investigating the possibility the minors were plied with alcohol or narcotics before they were allegedly sexually assaulted.”
Local reports have identified the suspects as a couple in their twenties, though this has not been confirmed by police.
