Murcia, Spain – A catastrophic collision involving a speedboat suspected of being used for drug trafficking led to the deaths of two British tourists and critical injuries to another on the RM-12 motorway near the La Manga resort on November 16. The accident, which also caused a six-vehicle pileup, has sparked a police manhunt for the suspects who fled the scene.
The incident occurred when a 32-foot speedboat, commonly referred to as a “narco lancha” and typically used in high-speed smuggling operations, dislodged from a trailer and collided with a Seat Leon carrying three British nationals heading to a golf trip. The collision resulted in the immediate deaths of two men, ages 49 and 57, and left a 54-year-old man in critical condition.
Emergency response teams spent approximately 30 minutes to extricate the victims from the wreckage. Alongside the fatalities and critical injury, eight other individuals sustained minor injuries and four were transported to a hospital in Cartagena for treatment.
Local police investigations suggest that the speedboat was illegally transported and equipped with twin 300-horsepower engines. It is believed the vessel was being moved discreetly to a nearby beach for a smuggling operation when the accident occurred. The SUV used to tow the boat was found abandoned near the crash site.
In the wake of the accident, Spanish authorities closed the motorway for three hours to facilitate an extensive on-site investigation. Efforts to locate the suspect include reviewing surveillance footage from traffic cameras and nearby businesses.
A representative from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated that they are offering assistance to the families of the British nationals involved and are in close contact with Spanish law enforcement to monitor the situation.
This tragic incident highlights the broader issues of narco-trafficking in regions popular with tourists, underscoring the risky behaviors and the unintended consequences that can arise from such illegal activities. Spanish police continue their search for the driver of the SUV and any accomplices, underscoring their commitment to cracking down on smuggling activities on their roadways and coastal areas.