Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@Fernanda.4ever
Topics: News, World News
Gerrard Kaonga
Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.
Police have detained three men in connection with an alleged gang rape of a travel influencer.
Spanish citizens and couple Vicente and Fernanda had been traveling around the world on motorbikes, sharing updates for their social media followers.
However, the pair recently claimed they had been victims of a serious assault in India.
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The couple told Spanish TV channel Antena 3 that the men raped Fernanda and repeatedly hit Vicente.
Following the attack, they shared a video on social media explaining what happened on Friday (March 1) in the Dumka district of Jharkhand.
The couple had reportedly stopped for the night on their journey to Nepal.
The clip has since gone viral, with many people offering their condolences and sending well wishes.
In the footage, the pair can be seen with visible injuries to their faces, with Fernanda looking particularly distraught.
A text bubble in English is seen beneath the duo as they spoke about the attack.
“Something has happened to us that we would not wish on anyone, seven men have raped me, they have beaten us and robbed us, although not many things, because what they wanted was to rape me,” the message read.
“We are in the hospital with the police, it happened tonight here in India.”
Following international attention after their initial video, the pair released a follow up explaining how the police have been progressing with their investigation.
They also thanked all those who had sent messages of support and addressed some of the negative comments about India that had followed.
“That video is [to] let the people to know that we’re better, alive and thank you all for the support we are receiving,” the text above Vicente read as he spoke with Fernanda beside him.
“The police are doing everything possible to catch them, there are already three prisoners and surely they will soon catch the others.
“They already know who they are, and they are among the others who have fled.
“Do not think that India is like that, because it is not true. India is a country with many good people.
“It is a great country worth visiting, like all countries, it has its good and bad things.”
Superintendent of police in Dumka Pitamber Singh Kherwar told press: "The couple were speaking in a mixture of English and Spanish so the patrolling team could not understand them initially. But they appeared visibly injured so they were taken for treatment."
He added: "The other four accused have been identified, and searches are underway. They will be nabbed soon."
The Spanish Foreign Ministry said it is in contact with Vicente and Fernanda with support.
UNILAD has contacted Jharkhand Police, Pitamber Singh Kherwar and the Spanish Foreign Ministry for comment.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org