Panic in Majorca as thousands of illegal migrants arrive in small boats | World | News

The government of the Balearic Islands has called for a “drastic change” in Spain’s immigration policy to help combat the growing number of illegal migrants arriving in small boats. Last year saw a huge surge in migrant numbers, with a total of 5,596 migrants coming ashore from 333 boats.

This represents an increase of 155% from the previous year, when a total of 2,194 people arrived in 137 boats. Most of the boats carrying the migrants arrive from Algeria, having made the perilous trip across the Alboran Sea. The majority of the migrants came ashore in Formentera, which received around 46% of the total number.

The island appears to have become the major entry point for migrants arriving from Algeria.

The president of the Balearic Islands government has previously criticised Madrid for “the total lack of control” over the arrival of migrant boats.

Marga Prohens blamed the lack of troops from the State Security Forces and Corps (FFCCSE) for the growing problem.

She added: “The lack of FFCCSE troops is linked to difficulties in controlling the worrying crime data in the Balearic Islands.

“As a government, we can only share the concern that this brings to citizens, especially when migrants arriving on the shores of the Islands face them with defiant and obscene gestures.”

Catalina Cirer, the Balearic minister for families and social services said concern was growing over the increase in migrant numbers.

“The government has expressed its concern about this human drama, which affects us very directly and in many areas,” she said.

There have been calls for Spain’s government to engage urgently with Algeria over the migrant problem.

Tensions between the two countries reached a crisis point in 2022, when Algeria’s government unilaterally suspended relations with Madrid.

This followed Spain’s recognition of the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the most serious, credible and realistic way to resolve the Western Sahara dispute.

However, there has been a subsequent thaw in relations, with Algeria’s Interior Minister visiting his Spanish counterpart in Madrid in February.

Following the meeting, Fernando Grande-Marlaska described Algeria as Spain’s “key partner” in police and immigration cooperation.