100 migrants: boats reach Mallorca in 24 hours

A boat carrying migrants reaches Cala Santanyí, Mallorca, in daylight, in front of residents and bathers. The Consell de Mallorca, the island council, says 100 migrants have reached Mallorca’s coast irregularly in the past 24 hours. On Saturday, council president Llorenç Galmés called for urgent action from Spain’s government.

Daylight landing and flares before dawn

The boat at Cala Santanyí caused what the council described as great alarm. Other migrants reached Colònia de Sant Jordi, in the municipality of Ses Salines, before dawn and used flares as they approached the coast.

Galmés said Santanyí and Ses Salines were among the municipalities hardest hit by the continuing arrivals. He visited Cala Galiota in Colònia de Sant Jordi with the president of the Mallorca Institute of Social Affairs (IMAS), Guillermo Sánchez, Ses Salines mayor Guillem Mas and Santanyí’s deputy mayor Joan Gaspar Aguiló.

Council demands border action

Galmés said Mallorca’s island and municipal authorities lack both the powers and the resources to control borders or provide maritime security. He accused the Spanish government of leaving the municipalities to deal with the consequences and again called for information on where those arriving are taken.

He also demanded the resignation of the Spanish government delegate in the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodríguez, and urged the government to activate Frontex off the islands, strengthen maritime surveillance and formally recognise the Balearic migration route.

The council says the arrivals are also putting pressure on services for children. In 2026, 193 unaccompanied migrant minors have arrived in Mallorca, while IMAS is currently responsible for 465. The council says its protection system is overstretched despite additional places, staff and resources.

Topics: Migration · Politics · Palma · Ses Salines · Santanyí

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com