At least 17 migrants die trying to reach Majorca in small boat after 15 days adrift – as another vessel found near Ibiza

AT least 17 migrants have died while trying to reach Majorca in a small boat after spending more than two weeks adrift, reports say. The grim discovery was made just hours before another vessel carrying 15 North African people was located near the Spanish island of Ibiza. One boat found near Majorca was carrying 19 people, two of whom survived, reports say (stock) Credit: Alamy Spanish authorities found two boats in the space of two hours on Tuesday morning (stock) Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The two reports come after some 70,000 migrants swam into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday. Spanish authorities found the first small boat with two survivors inside in the early hours of Tuesday, about 12 miles southwest of Majorca. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The pair claimed they were part of a group of 17 other migrants who all died during the attempted crossing. According to Europa Press, the two migrants told authorities they threw the 17 bodies into the sea. The survivors were taken to Son Espases University Hospital, showing signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Following the discovery, authorities scrambled a helicopter to locate any other migrants. They also encouraged fishing or sailing boats in the area to report sightings. Just two hours after the rescue near Majorca, a second boat was found 30 miles southwest of Ibiza. Most read in The Sun The vessel was carrying fifteen people of North African origin when it was intercepted at 5:15am, the Civil Guard said. It is currently unclear whether any of the survivors were injured. This year, 211 boats carrying 3,935 undocumented migrants have arrived in the Balearic Islands, according to local authorities. In 2025, 401 boats arrived at the archipelago with 7,321 people – marking an increase from data collected in 2024. It comes after nearly 70,000 migrants crossed the border into Spain’s Ceuta last week Credit: AP Many of the migrants have been returned back to Morocco Credit: AP It comes after a huge wave of around 70,000 migrants entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta – located in Northern Africa – last week. Over 48,000 have been frogmarched back across the frontier by Spanish cops and military personnel. But there are currently an estimated 5,000 migrants, including nearly 1,000 children, remaining in the Spanish peninsula trying to dodge the security sweep. Distressing pictures have shown dozens of North African youths sleeping on the pavement on makeshift beds made out of cardboard boxes. African migrants are said to be planning another invasion of Ceuta in just days – with social media posts warning it may be “our last chance” to enter Europe. Fears are also mounting convicted terrorists were among the tens of thousands of people who stormed the Spanish enclave last week, reports say. Comment now