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Benalmádena is mourning the tragic death of a woman allegedly murdered by her husband before he set fire to their home, all while their children were present. The shocking crime, which took place early morning on Saturday 8 February, has sparked outrage in the town, with over a hundred people gathering to demand justice.

 

Emergency services were called to the scene on Calle Las Flores in Torrequebrada at 5.25am after reports of a fire. When firefighters arrived, they found the body of Lina, a Spanish woman, inside the burnt out home. Her husband, a Nigerian man, was arrested soon after. Investigators believe he deliberately started the blaze in an attempt to destroy evidence of the crime.

 

Lina had previously been registered in Spain’s VioGén system, which monitors cases of domestic violence, due to past incidents involving her husband. However, her case had been classified as “inactive” at the time of her death.

 

On Sunday, more than a hundred people gathered in the Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Benalmádena to pay tribute to Lina and protest against gender-based violence. Local councillors and the mayor attended the rally, where a minute’s silence was held before applause broke out in Lina’s memory.

 

“We are shocked and broken with pain at the tragic and terrible event that occurred this morning,” said the mayor, describing Lina as “very loved by all the neighbours.” He added, “Our city is broken with pain and indignation at what happened, as unexpected as it was cruel and unjust.”

 

This devastating incident is part of a wider crisis of gender-based violence in Spain, where 56 women were murdered in similar attacks last year. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to strengthening protections for victims and preventing further tragedies.

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Benalmádena