Officials report that more than 30 boats carrying approximately 600 irregular migrants have reached Spain’s Balearic Islands since 11 August, according to Reuters.
This surge highlights a growing migratory route originating from North Africa, gaining popularity as heightened enforcement disrupts traditional departure points elsewhere.
While overall irregular migration to Spain has decreased this year, official figures reveal a stark 170% increase in arrivals to the Balearics during the first six months, totalling around 3,000 individuals.
The number of vessels making the journey, predominantly departing from Algeria, has more than doubled. A considerable proportion of those arriving originate from East African nations.
Authorities governing the islands off Spain’s eastern coast, Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, express feeling abandoned. Their apprehension centres on the potential for the Balearics to become a significant new migrant gateway, mirroring the experience of the Canary Islands.
The Canaries received about 47,000 arrivals from West Africa at the peak of that route’s usage in 2024. Arrivals to the Canaries have, however, fallen by 46% during January to July this year, largely attributed to tightened controls implemented by Mauritania.
“Where is the government of [Pedro] Sánchez?” Balearic regional president Marga Prohens demanded in a post on social media platform X on Wednesday, referencing Spain’s prime minister.
She called for enhanced law enforcement resources and greater cooperation with Algeria. The central government stated last month its intention to improve the Balearics’ capacity to manage new arrivals.
Reports in Mallorcan local media have documented instances where newly arrived migrants, due to a lack of available shelter facilities, were left by authorities for several hours in public parks before being transferred by ferry to the Spanish mainland.
