Search Underway for Missing Migrant Vessel Near Spanish Islands

Spanish authorities and European border officials are conducting an active search for a boat carrying migrants that disappeared while attempting to reach Spain's Balearic Islands. Two other vessels in the group were intercepted by Algeria's Navy, but one remains missing with an unknown number of people aboard.

Spanish authorities and the European Union’s border protection agency are actively conducting search operations for a vessel carrying migrants that vanished while attempting to reach Spain’s Balearic Islands, according to government officials on Friday.

The advocacy organization Walking Borders had issued an alert Thursday regarding three vessels that had disappeared while traveling from Algeria to the Balearics across the Mediterranean, carrying a total of 81 individuals including 10 women and two infants.

This maritime corridor experienced significant growth as a migration pathway into the European Union during the previous year, even as total arrivals to the region decreased overall.

Data from the International Organization for Migration indicates that no fewer than 483 migrants perished or went missing in the Western Mediterranean during attempts to reach Europe last year.

European border officials reported that smuggling operations had shifted from Morocco to Algeria due to what traffickers viewed as weaker enforcement measures, with criminals now utilizing higher-speed vessels.

Spain’s regional representative for the Balearics confirmed Friday that Algeria’s naval forces had successfully intercepted two of the three missing boats, while aerial units from both Spanish Civil Guard and European border patrol continue their search for the remaining vessel.

Officials have not disclosed the number of individuals aboard the missing boat or provided updates on the health status of those rescued from the two intercepted vessels.

Algeria’s diplomatic mission in Spain has not yet responded to media inquiries regarding the incident.

According to Spain’s Interior Ministry statistics, unauthorized maritime arrivals to the Balearic Islands decreased by 25% during the period from January through February 15 when compared to the corresponding timeframe last year.

In response to increased migration activity during the previous year, Spanish officials have pursued enhanced collaboration with Algeria to combat human trafficking operations.

Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska indicated to reporters last month that Madrid might seek expanded aerial monitoring from European border agencies along the Algeria-to-Balearics corridor.

However, he dismissed the possibility of deploying Spanish law enforcement personnel or providing equipment to Algeria, citing recent diplomatic tensions, and emphasized that cooperation would focus primarily on enhanced intelligence sharing regarding security matters.