A total of 17 migrants have died trying to reach the coasts of the Balearic Islands by boat after drifting for 15 days, according to the testimony of two occupants of Maghreb origin who were rescued southwest of Mallorca. The migrants were trying to reach the archipelago’s coasts from Algeria on a new migration route connecting this country with the Balearic archipelago.
Read more Will anyone investigate the death of the hundred migrants on the coast of Ceuta?
According to information provided by the Government Delegation in the Balearic Islands, at 03:00 this Tuesday, two people of Maghreb origin were rescued aboard a boat southwest of Mallorca. The rescued stated that they had been drifting for 15 days and that there were 17 other people on the boat who died during the crossing. The two migrants required medical assistance, as they showed signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Both individuals were transferred to the Son Espases University Hospital.
Maritime Rescue has deployed a helicopter to search the area and navigators have been alerted
Maritime Rescue has deployed a helicopter to search the area near the shipwreck and navigators have been alerted. Additionally, at 05:15, 15 people of Maghreb origin were rescued from a boat 30 miles southwest of Ibiza.
The death of these 17 migrants is one of the greatest tragedies known so far on the Balearic route, one of the deadliest according to associations like Caminando Fronteras. It estimates that in the first five months of the year, the route has claimed 507 victims. The number is already much higher as many boat skippers take advantage of the good weather in June, July, and August to make the crossings.
Read more The Government prepares to relocate hundreds of minors in Ceuta to the Peninsula
Caminando Fronteras estimates that 507 people have already died on this route
In its report, it highlights that the Algerian route concentrates the highest number of tragedies in the analyzed period and surpasses 500 documented victims in five months for the first time, 54.6% more than in the same period last year. This figure means that every seven hours a person loses their life at this border.
It adds that since 2025, there has been a continuation of a recurring pattern: the discovery of deceased persons on the coast, many in a state indicating recent drowning and without documentation. It states that the greatest concern remains the insufficient response to issued alerts, which continues to be irregular and delayed. “The absence of joint operational protocols with Algeria worsens this situation and creates an institutional void that condemns multiple disappearance cases to remain without search and investigation,” it assures.
Read more Attention: “The border of Ceuta is open”
