Two Spanish journalists who were kidnapped on Monday in Burkina Faso are dead, the Spanish prime minister has confirmed.
Pedro Sanchez tweeted that “the worst news is confirmed”, following reports that the two journalists had been killed following an ambush on an anti-poaching patrol, in which they were embedded.
Sanchez named them as David Beriain and Roberto Fraile.
“All the affection for the relatives and friends of David Beriain and Roberto Fraile, murdered in Burkina Faso. And our recognition to those who, like them, carry out courageous and essential journalism from conflict zones on a daily basis,” he tweeted.
Spanish foreign minister Arancha González Laya told journalists earlier on Tuesday that although the information coming out of the country in West Africa was “confusing”, everything indicated two bodies found in the area were those of the missing journalists.
They were in the Pama area of the country, making a documentary on poaching in the region, alongside an Irish citizen, González Laya said.
The Irish foreign ministry told Euronews: “The Department is aware of the reports and is liaising closely with international partners regarding the situation on the ground.”
According to González Laya, the area is a dangerous one, where terrorist groups, poachers, bandits and jihadists operate.
The journalists were embedded in a patrol of some 40 Burkinabe anti-poaching troops, which was attacked by armed individuals.
Attacks by jihadist groups including the Islamic State have killed thousands and displaced more than one million people in the country.
“Foreign nationals are a preferable target to be used as bargaining chips in exchange for ransom,” said Heni Nsaibia, an analyst with the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.
Since the early 2000s militant groups have developed a kidnapping industry in the Sahel, five foreign hostages are still missing, including two taken from Burkina Faso, he said.
