A small boat carrying 26 migrants, including 20 men and six women, arrived at Cala Santanyí in Mallorca, Spain, on Friday afternoon. The vessel came ashore in broad daylight on a beach crowded with tourists. Lifeguards were alerted to the arrival and assisted the migrants as they reached the shore, with some entering the water and others moving over rocks. Shortly after, Guardia Civil patrols arrived to manage the situation.
All 26 individuals appeared to be in good condition with no serious injuries reported. This incident was one of four boats intercepted or rescued in Mallorca and Formentera within a few hours on Friday, bringing the total number of arrivals for that day to 75. Two of the boats carried migrants of North African origin, while the other two were of sub-Saharan origin.
In the preceding 24 hours, approximately 100 migrants had arrived on Mallorca's shores, according to the Mallorca Island Council. On Saturday, five additional small boats carrying 72 migrants reached Mallorca, Cabrera, and Formentera. Year-to-date figures from Spain's Interior Ministry and the Balearic Islands Government Delegation indicate that 274 small boats carrying 5,095 migrants have arrived in the archipelago.
The president of the Mallorca Island Council, Llorenç Galmés, stated that the island cannot independently manage a situation that “far exceeds its capacity.”
This event occurs amidst a broader migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located in North Africa. Following a surge of approximately 70,000 migrants in late July, between 3,500 and 7,000 are reported to remain, many living in makeshift camps on the beach. Local authorities have reported almost daily incidents of violence, including attacks on military personnel and numerous sexual assaults. The Spanish Ministry of Equality confirmed 21 sexual assaults in the past month, with some involving minors. A local resident described a significant increase in tension and confrontations between residents and migrants, along with acts of vandalism.
Further complicating the situation, a video emerged showing migrants interacting with a dolphin calf in shallow waters, prompting intervention from onlookers who reminded them of regulations against touching marine life. Reports from a local police trade union spokesman indicated that at least five Guardia Civil officers have been injured while intervening in altercations. The mood has reportedly darkened over time, with increased desperation, robberies, and clashes occurring as migrants face uncertainty about their status.