A travel blogger and her husband have been left bloodied and battered after an attack on the couple during their motorcycle journey through India. The couple were travelling through the state of Jharkhand, en-route to the northeastern city of Bhagalpur. They stopped to set up camp for the night when they were brutally assaulted by seven men. The brutal assault occurred in March 2024. Fernanda, a 28-year-old woman with Brazilian-Spanish dual citizenship, was gang-raped by the seven assailants while attackers beat her 63-year-old Spanish husband Vicente.
The incident sparked international outrage and renewed discussions about women’s safety in India. All seven suspects were apprehended and taken into custody by police days after the attack. Authorities charged the men with gang rape and assault. The couple shared their traumatic experience on social media, bringing global attention to the case. Indian officials offered compensation and promised the couple swift justice would be delivered. Despite their horrific ordeal, the couple expressed their excitement and determination to continue their journey, travelling throughout the world.
Travel Bloggers Attacked During World Tour
Travel vloggers Fernanda and Vicente had been documenting their 6-year journey across 67 countries on their Instagram account. They had gained over 300,000 followers who watched their travels and adventures to various places around the world. The bloggers traveled under the name “Vuelta al Mundo en Moto,” meaning “Around the World by Motorbike”. They had spent 6 months in India, covering approximately 20,000 kilometers without any incidents.
The couple was heading from India to Nepal when they decided to stop in the state of Jharkhand and camp overnight. The bloggers chose to camp in what appeared to be a peaceful location. Neither could have anticipated the horrific ordeal that would befall them that evening.
The Horrific Night in Dumka District
The horrific attack took place on March 1, 2024, in Dumka district, located in Jharkhand state. Dumka sits in northeastern India, surrounded by hills and forests. The couple had set up their tent near Kurumahat in the Hansdiha area. They assumed the spot to be safe as the surrounding environment seemed tranquil and beautiful. Around 8 p.m., a group of seven men approached their campsite and barged into the tent. Vicente recounted that they held knives up to their throats and threatened to kill them. The assailants then beat Vicente with his own motorcycle helmet and a stone. They struck him repeatedly, leaving his mouth severely damaged. The seven men then took turns sexually assaulting Fernanda while others restrained Vicente, who was forced to watch the assault. The attack continued for approximately 3 hours, lasting until 11 p.m..
Arrests Made After Swift Police Action
Dumka’s police superintendent Pitamber Singh Kherwar told reporters that the injured couple flagged down a police patrol van around midnight that Friday. The victims initially struggled to communicate to authorities as Fernanda, in a distressed state, spoke in a mixture of English and Spanish. Officers immediately transported them to a local hospital for treatment. According to the couple they were transferred to a medical facility 43 miles from their location for DNA testing. Medical staff confirmed the sexual assault and documented their injuries.
Police Superintendent Pitamber Singh Kherwar formed a special investigative team to apprehend the suspects. Authorities arrested the first 3 suspects on March 2, 2024 and subsequently the other 4 suspects on March 5, apprehending all 7 suspected attackers. Deputy Commissioner Anjaneyulu Dodde confirmed all suspects were in custody. Investigators collected DNA evidence and forensic materials from the crime scene. Officers worked around the clock to identify and capture all perpetrators.
Victims Share Traumatic Experience Online
Fernanda took to social media to share her and her husband’s horrifying ordeal to their followers. She posted a video on Instagram with her face showing visible signs of bruising and swelling. She wrote that seven men raped, beat, and robbed her. Fernanda later disclosed that: “They had beaten us and robbed us, although not many things [were taken] because what they wanted was to rape me.”
Vicente also shared details of the attack in a separate video, further explaining that: “My mouth is destroyed, but my partner is worse than me. They have hit me with the helmet several times, with a stone on the head.” The couple expressed gratitude for surviving the horrific experience. Fernanda said her physical injuries were not what hurt her most, but the emotional trauma that will take time to fully overcome. The videos quickly went viral, drawing international attention to the case. The couple later deleted the videos from their Instagram account. Fans commented on their Instagram and Youtube videos, expressing their support and sympathy.
NCW condemns the brutal gang-rape of a Spanish tourist in Dumka, Jharkhand. NCW has been informed that accused fled from the spot. As per reports, there were 8-10 men involved. The Police have just arrested 3 accused persons in the matter. A letter has been sent to DGP from…
— NCW (@NCWIndia) March 2, 2024
Compensation and Government Response
Indian authorities offered the couple 1 million rupees in compensation for the attack, which equates to approximately $11,369 or 11,000 euros. Deputy Commissioner Dodde announced they would do everything in their power to ensure a speedy trial and that justice is delivered. He stated authorities were conducting a thorough investigation of the case. Victims of sexual crimes have rights to financial compensation under Indian law. Police Superintendent Pitamber Singh Kherwar promised strict punishment for the perpetrators. He emphasized the department’s commitment to ensuring justice. Authorities placed the couple in protective custody following the attack. Police escorted them to the Jharkhand border as they left for Nepal. The Jharkhand High Court took cognizance of the case immediately. Officials requested a detailed report on the incident by the following week. The court noted that crimes against foreigners damage India’s international reputation.
India’s Ongoing Battle with Sexual Violence
Sexual violence against women remains a persistent and widespread problem in in India. Survivors of sexual abuse usually face scrutiny and stigma if they speak out against their abusers. The National Crime Records Bureau reported 31,516 rape cases in 2022. This equals an average of 86 rape cases every day across the country. One rape occurs approximately every 18 minutes in India according to government statistics. In 2021, authorities recorded 31,677 rape cases nationwide.
Nearly 89% of rapes were committed by someone known to the victim. Minors under 18 years old comprised 10% of rape victims. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest numbers of cases. Delhi maintained the highest rape rate among metropolitan cities. Experts warn that actual numbers far exceed reported cases. Deep-rooted patriarchy and social stigma prevent many victims from reporting assaults. Low conviction rates compound the problem, with only 27% of cases resulting in punishment.
The 2012 Nirbhaya Case and Legal Reforms
The horrific 2012 Delhi gang rape case sent shockwaves throughout India, sparking major transformation in India’s approach to sexual violence. A 23-year-old student named Jyoti Singh was brutally sexually assaulted on a bus. She succumbed to her injuries and died 13 days after the attack. The incident triggered massive protests across India and internationally. Public outrage forced the government to implement significant legal reforms.
Parliament passed the Criminal Law Amendment Act in 2013. New laws introduced mandatory minimum sentences of 20 years for gang rape. Authorities created 6 fast-track courts specifically for rape prosecutions. The legislation expanded the definition of rape and added new offenses. Laws now include penalties for acid attacks, stalking, and voyeurism. The government established the Nirbhaya Fund for women’s safety programs. Despite these changes, rape cases have not declined significantly. Only 15% of charged offenders faced trial in 2012, leaving 85% waiting.
Couple Plans to Continue Journey Despite Trauma
Fernanda left India for Nepal on March 5, 2024, with Vicente. They crossed into Nepal via Bihar state on their motorcycles. In spite of their horrific experience, the couple stated they harbor no blame against Indian people. Fernanda emphasized that Indians had treated her kindly during 6 months of travel. She distinguished between the criminals and the general population. “Do not think that India is like that. India is a great country and it’s worth visiting, with its good things and its bad things.” the couple emphasized. “We’ve come across some undesirables, but there’s no need to generalize.” they added.
They planned to leave their motorcycles in Nepal temporarily. Fernanda and Vicente intended to return to Spain for rest and recovery. They wanted to spend time with family after the traumatic experience. The bloggers announced plans to resume their Asian tour once Fernanda healed. Their final destination remains New Zealand, where they hope to complete their journey. Fernanda encouraged other women to prepare themselves mentally for challenging situations. She acknowledged the difficulty of moving past trauma but remains positive and persistent.
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