Spanish court initiates trial of Villa de Pitanxo captain and owners
The Audiencia Nacional in Spain has opened an oral criminal trial against the captain of the fishing vessel Villa de Pitanxo, Juan Enrique Padín, and two senior executives of the owning company, José Antonio Nores (administrator) and the fleet director. The defendants face charges of homicide by gross negligence and reckless injuries, linked to the February 2022 sinking of the vessel in Canadian waters that left 21 crew members dead.
The judge required a joint bail of €44 million from the three accused and ordered the fishing company Pesquerías Nores Marín and insurer British Marine Luxembourg to provide the same amount as civil liability guarantees. The formal delivery of the trial order and the bail requirements is scheduled for 28 July.
The tragedy claimed the lives of 21 sailors, including Canarian marine biologist Manuel Navarro, whose body was never recovered. Families of the victims have expressed that the opening of the trial marks the end of a long struggle for justice, while continuing to trust the court process.