Panic in Balearic Islands as migrant arrivals soar 84%

Immigration has shot up across popular Spanish islands loved by British tourists, as leaders plead for more resources to tackle the issue. Illegal migrant arrivals to the Balearic Islands soared by 84% between January 1 and September 30, compared with the same period last year. Data from the Interior Ministry also found that 27,476 migrants arrived in Spain by sea and land so far this year.

The vast majority of these were sea crossings (24,589), with 965 boats used. Elsewhere, 12,878 migrants arrived at the Canary Islands on 211 boats. On mainland Spain, there were 11,680 arrivals by sea. The Spanish Government delegate in the Balearics, Alfonso Rodríguez Badal, announced in August that resources to deliver first aid to migrants were increasing.

This involves cooperation between the National Police, Guard Civil, Maritime Authority and Maritime Rescue. The Red Cross has also been contracted by the Spanish government to provide first aid to migrants.

The route from North Africa to the Balearic Islands is considered the fastest-growing in Europe, with migrants often suffering dangerous conditions during their journey. There are also a significant number of arrivals from East Africa.

Officials said in August that over 30 boats carrying about 600 irregular migrants arrived at the Balearics in just a three-day period.

In the first six months of the year, the number of boats, most of which came from Algeria, more than doubled.

Balearic regional leader Marga Prohens called for increased law enforcement resources and cooperation with Algeria.

This comes after a surge in arrivals since 2024, which has continued into 2025 due to instability and conflict, particularly Somalia and South Sudan.

Local authorities in the Balearics have been overwhelmed by the influx amid concerns that new arrivals are left for extended periods before being processed or transferred to the mainland.