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Christopher Columbus May Have Sephardic Jewish Roots, Say Spanish Scientists
Madrid, Spain – Christopher Columbus, the 15th-century explorer credited with opening the Americas to European colonization, may have been a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe, according to new DNA research. Spanish scientists revealed their findings on Saturday, shedding light on the long-standing debate surrounding Columbus’ origins.
For centuries, historians and nations have argued over Columbus’ birthplace and final resting place. Traditionally, it was believed that Columbus hailed from Genoa, Italy, but alternative theories have persisted, with some suggesting he was of Spanish Jewish, Greek, Basque, Portuguese, or even British descent.
A team of researchers led by forensic expert Miguel Lorente conducted a 22-year investigation, using DNA analysis on remains buried in Seville Cathedral. These remains have long been identified as Columbus’ final resting place, although rival claims exist. The findings were announced in a documentary titled “Columbus DNA: The True Origin” aired on Spain’s national broadcaster TVE on Saturday.
“We have DNA from Christopher Columbus—very partial, but sufficient. We also have DNA from Hernando Colón, his son,” Lorente explained during the broadcast. He further added that both the Y chromosome (inherited from the father) and the mitochondrial DNA (inherited from the mother) show traits consistent with Jewish ancestry.
This discovery ties into a historical backdrop of the expulsion of Jews and Muslims from Spain. Before the Catholic monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand ordered Jews to convert to Catholicism or leave Spain in 1492, around 300,000 Jews lived in the country. Many fled to various parts of the world, leaving a lasting diaspora known as Sephardic Jews. The term “Sephardic” comes from “Sefarad,” the Hebrew word for Spain.
The research team examined 25 possible places for Columbus’ birth and concluded that he was from Western Europe, although they could not pinpoint the exact location. On Thursday, Lorente confirmed that their findings strongly support the theory that the remains in Seville indeed belong to Columbus.
The journey to unravel Columbus’ origins has been challenging due to the sheer volume of historical data. However, Lorente expressed confidence in the results, stating that “the outcome is almost absolutely reliable.”
Columbus died in 1506 in Valladolid, Spain, but he had requested to be buried on the island of Hispaniola, now shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. His remains were moved several times: to Hispaniola in 1542, then to Cuba in 1795, before allegedly being transferred to Seville in 1898.
The new findings add another layer to the complex legacy of Columbus, a figure who continues to spark debate over his role in history, much like the divisive conversations that persist in today’s news landscape.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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