56 Migrants Rescued in Spanish Waters Near Mallorca and Formentera

Spanish authorities rescued 56 migrants in three operations conducted near the islands of Mallorca and Formentera in the Balearic Islands. The migrants, of North African and Sub-Saharan origin, arrived on precarious vessels.

The first rescue occurred Thursday night near Formentera, where 19 individuals were intercepted. On Friday morning, six more people were found on Mallorca, followed by a larger group of 31 rescued five miles south of Formentera. Maritime rescue services and the Civil Guard were involved in these operations.

These rescues highlight the ongoing challenges of irregular migration in the Mediterranean. So far this year, the Balearic Islands have registered 199 arrivals of migrant boats, carrying a total of 3,729 people. This represents a significant increase compared to last year, with nearly 15% more boats and 24.5% more migrants arriving.