Maritime Rescue intercepted 29 migrants south of Formentera on Friday after two girls under 16 reported sexual assaults during the perilous crossing from North Africa
Two girls under the age of 16 have allegedly been raped by men aboard a migrant boat sailing to the Balearic Islands, Spanish authorities confirmed on Saturday. The victims were among 29 migrants of sub-Saharan origin intercepted approximately 43 miles south of Formentera on Friday afternoon.
The girls were immediately transported to Can Misses Hospital in Ibiza, where medical staff activated emergency protocols for cases of sexual violence. A team of seven security force officers and a gynaecologist on duty attended to the victims, according to reports from the Periodico de Ibiza.
Spanish police confirmed the victims are minors, therefore under the age of 16, though their exact ages have not been disclosed. Both girls provided formal statements to authorities on Saturday, alleging they suffered sexual assault by two men who were travelling with them on the same vessel.
Investigation Launched as Protocol Activated
The horrific allegations have prompted an immediate investigation by Spanish law enforcement. “Police are keeping the investigation open to clarify the facts,” a spokesperson for the Guardia Civil stated. “It is expected that in the next few hours, more official information will be provided.”
The incident follows a disturbing pattern of sexual violence on migrant boats. At the end of 2024, a young Algerian woman reported being raped by a boat skipper during a crossing to Formentera. A judge subsequently ordered the alleged perpetrator and another occupant to be held in detention without bail, with one accused of rape and the other charged with failing to provide assistance.
The latest assault allegations emerged just days after reports that at least 50 sub-Saharan Africans were abused and thrown overboard to die by witch doctors during Mediterranean crossings. Others were reportedly beaten and tortured if they dared complain about the terrible conditions endured during the dangerous sea journeys in overcrowded boats.
Balearics Declared Migration Emergency Zone
The Spanish government has declared the Balearic Islands a migration emergency zone in response to the dramatic increase in arrivals throughout 2025. The declaration, approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, includes an investment of £5.8 million (€6.75 million) and will remain in force until 31 December 2025.
This year alone, 126 boats carrying 2,094 migrants have arrived in Ibiza and Formentera. Of these, 108 boats with 1,829 people reached Formentera, whilst 18 boats carrying 265 migrants arrived in Ibiza during the first nine months of 2025.
“The growing presence of vulnerable profiles among these migrants has made it necessary to resize the resources for first aid and assistance,” stated the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.
The government is establishing modular facilities for temporary reception of migrants in transit at the ports of Ibiza and Formentera. The Ibiza facility covers 500 square metres and can accommodate around 120 people overnight, whilst the Formentera centre spans 230 square metres with capacity for approximately 50 people.
Regional Government Rebels Against Minor Distribution
The Balearic regional government has announced it will refuse to accept migrant minors transferred from other Spanish territories, directly challenging Madrid’s directive. The archipelago, which includes Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, says it cannot cope with its own problems and is already overwhelmed by the migration crisis.
“We have more than 700 minors in care, ten times more than the places provided by the island service and 300 more than the ordinary capacity that the Government unilaterally set for us,” said Antoni Costa, first vice-president and spokesman for the regional executive. “We need help, we cannot be abandoned as is happening, it is a national shame.”
The Balearics have been ordered by Spain to make provision for up to 400 young migrants and to provide them with jobs and housing assistance. However, Costa announced the regional government would use “all the legal channels in our hands to defend the interests of the Balearic Islands” and would spare no effort in opposing the measure.
Surge in Arrivals Creates Perfect Storm
The Balearic Islands have experienced a 170 per cent increase in migrant arrivals during the first half of 2025, with approximately 3,000 people reaching the archipelago’s shores. Regional leader Marga Prohens warned that the migration route between Algeria and the Balearics is now “the fastest growing in Europe,” with more than 4,700 arrivals recorded by August.
We are the southern border of Europe and are becoming the main entry point for illegal immigration into the European Union,” Prohens stated, calling for the deployment of Frontex, the EU’s border agency, to monitor the Balearic route.
The surge comes as arrivals to Spain’s Canary Islands have dropped 46 per cent in the first seven months of 2025, largely due to Mauritania’s increased border controls. This has led to smuggling networks shifting their operations to the shorter Algeria-Balearics corridor, which is less monitored than routes to mainland Spain.
Human Trafficking Networks Under Scrutiny
Secretary of State for Security Aina Calvo emphasised the need for a “radical fight” against criminal organisations responsible for the dangerous crossings. “These mafias are putting the lives of thousands of people at risk, many of whom die during the journey from North Africa to the Balearics,” she said during a visit to Palma in July.
Since June, security forces have arrested multiple boat skippers on charges ranging from facilitating illegal immigration to sexual assault. The discovery of several bodies with hands and feet tied has added urgency to investigations into the brutal methods employed by trafficking networks.
“This is the cruellest aspect of something we have been denouncing for some time,” said Balearic President Marga Prohens. The images and the news chill us all. Mafias take advantage of these humanitarian dramas.”
Medical and Legal Response
Both victims in Friday’s incident are receiving comprehensive medical care and psychological support at Can Misses Hospital. The facility has specific protocols for handling cases of sexual violence, including specialist teams trained in treating trauma victims.
Under Spanish law, minors who are victims of sexual assault are automatically entitled to legal aid. The Spanish National Police’s UFAM units, which specialise in assisting sexual assault victims, and the Civil Guard’s EMUME units, providing assistance to female victims and minors, have been mobilised to support the investigation.
The alleged perpetrators face serious charges including sexual assault of a minor, which carries severe penalties under Spanish criminal law. Previous cases have resulted in detention without bail for suspects whilst investigations proceed.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to identify all those involved and gather evidence from witnesses aboard the vessel. The case highlights the extreme vulnerability of women and children making these perilous journeys, often at the mercy of smugglers and fellow passengers in lawless conditions at sea.
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Image Credit:
Sailors from USS Carney with MS Aquarius rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, 29 July 2016 — photo by Weston Jones / U.S. Navy (Public Domain)
