Europe’s migration crisis took another turn this week with the arrival of 28 migrants in the Balearic Islands, underlining the mounting pressure on Spain’s coastal defences and the region’s overstretched reception system. In the early hours of Tuesday, two small boats reached Spanish territory. The first, carrying six people of Maghrebi origin, was located at 12:40am BST, approximately 10 nautical miles east of Ibiza, with all six rescued by Maritime Rescue in coordination with the Civil Guard’s Santa Eulalia post.
The second vessel, carrying 22 migrants believed to be of Sub-Saharan origin, was intercepted at around 03:50am BST off Puig de Ros, near the town of Llucmajor in Majorca. Officers from Llucmajor, Calvia and Campos were involved in the operation. The arrivals are the latest in a rising number of unauthorised boat landings across Spain’s Mediterranean coastline and islands.
The Balearic Islands—typically known for sun and tourism—are now finding themselves on the front lines of Europe’s migration challenge, reported Ultima Hora.
Between January and May this year, Spain’s Ministry of the Interior recorded more than 17,000 irregular arrivals by boat nationwide. While the Canary Islands remain a primary entry point via the Atlantic, the Balearics have seen a marked uptick in vessels arriving from Algeria, raising concern among local leaders.
Antoni Costa, spokesperson for the Balearic Government, has warned that the islands’ resources are being stretched beyond capacity.
He said: “The increasing arrival of small boats and the saturation of resources … the situation has exceeded the capacity of the islands.”
Mr Costa has called for assistance from Frontex, the EU’s border agency, to reinforce maritime patrols and help process arrivals.
The issue is especially acute when it comes to minors. Vicent Mari, the Spanish Government’s representative in the Balearics, said: “The arrival of small boats with minors is pushing assistance services to the limit.”
He confirmed that over 5,900 unaccompanied minors arrived in the islands in 2024 alone, overwhelming shelters and child protection services.
In February, Marga Prohens, President of the Balearic Islands, issued an urgent appeal for help from Madrid.
She said: “The Balearic Islands are at their limit … the centres for minors are operating at 650% overcapacity.”
Ms Prohens has backed proposals to formally classify the Algeria–Balearics route as a designated migration corridor, which would unlock further funding and support under Spanish and EU law.
The latest two groups of migrants rescued off Ibiza and Mallorca were taken to reception centres, where they are undergoing health checks and identification processes.
Spanish authorities are investigating whether smuggling networks were involved, particularly as similar boat arrivals have become increasingly organised.
The Balearic Parliament has formally urged the Spanish government to take stronger action, including increasing security resources on the islands, bolstering housing and care for unaccompanied minors, and coordinating directly with Algeria to disrupt the flow at source.
Despite the islands’ status as a prime holiday destination, local officials say the migration issue is not a seasonal spike but a sustained trend with deep structural implications.
Mr Costa said the situation was no longer sustainable: “We are not just asking for national support—we are demanding it. Without immediate action, the humanitarian and logistical strain will become unmanageable.”
The latest developments come as illegal English Channel crossings into the UK remain high. According to the Home Office, more than 11,000 people have crossed in small boats so far in 2025. While policy responses differ, the volume of unauthorised arrivals remains a shared challenge across Europe.