Benaocaz mass grave exhumation recovers 19 bodies

Archaeologists and historians have recovered 19 bodies from mass graves in the Benaocaz cemetery. The remains belong to victims of repression during the uprising against the Second Spanish Republic.

The exhumation process, led by archaeologist Jesús Román Román, follows a multi-year project involving geophysical studies and funding from the Spanish Government and local authorities. Among the potential victims are individuals from Ubrique, including former mayor Manuel Arenas Guerrero, known as ‘El Americano’.

Experts believe the total number of victims in the area could reach 30. Following the recovery, authorities are requesting DNA samples from relatives to assist in the identification of the remains.