Police have now arrested four people in connection with the fatal stabbing of a Danish holidaymaker in the town of Corralejo, Fuerteventura, according to an official press release from the Guardia Civil. On Tuesday, a judge ordered the imprisonment of three of the suspects.
Two of them have been remanded to Tahíche Prison in Lanzarote, while a 17-year-old suspect was placed in the Valle de Tabares juvenile detention centre in Tenerife.
The incident, described as a “violent altercation”, occurred in the early hours of December 27th on Avenida del Carmen, a popular nightlife area in the northern part of Fuerteventura.
The altercation resulted in the death of a 25-year-old Danish man and injuries to a 20-year-old relative, who suffered less severe wounds.
Emergency responders treated the injured 25-year-old at the scene, but despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries at Corralejo Health Centre. The 20-year-old, who managed to flee the scene, was treated for injuries of a less critical nature.
The Guardia Civil's murder investigation team from Las Palmas joined local officers in an extensive operation, citing the suspects' dangerousness as a priority. Their efforts led to the arrest of the four suspects, aged between 17 and 31, all residents of Fuerteventura.
The arrests took place on Sunday and Monday, with one suspect pursued on foot after attempting to escape. The remaining three were apprehended near the El Baku area.
The incident has sparked widespread concern in Fuerteventura, with local officials calling attention to security challenges on the island. La Oliva Mayor Isaí Blanco expressed his condolences to the victim’s family during a press conference, emphasizing the need for improved public safety.
The mayor criticised the national government for what he described as neglect of Fuerteventura’s security needs, pointing to the limited number of Guardia Civil officers on the island.
“This kind of tragedy could happen anywhere in Fuerteventura,” Blanco stated, citing the island's vulnerabilities. He also noted a recent violent incident in El Matorral, the island’s capital, as evidence of an escalating problem.
Despite the criticism, Blanco commended the efforts of the Local Police and the Guardia Civil, highlighting their dedication despite what he termed as inadequate staffing levels.
