23 missing on two boats south of the Balearics

Spanish sea rescuers are searching south of Spain’s Balearic Islands for two boats carrying a reported 23 people. A rescue helicopter and plane flew over the waters on Sunday but found neither boat. The boats reportedly left Algeria on 4 and 6 October.

José Ramón Crespí, the Balearic chief of Spanish sea rescue service Salvamento Marítimo, confirmed the search to Europa Press. Migrant support group Alarmphone said the first boat left Zeralda, Algeria, for the Balearic Islands on 4 October with 17 people aboard. A second left Algeria for Spain on 6 October with six people.

Alarmphone said it had received no further information about either boat. It said the authorities had been informed and urged them to search for and rescue those aboard. Crespí said aircraft from the European border agency Frontex and Spain’s Guardia Civil also patrol this part of the Mediterranean regularly, watching for possible new boat arrivals.

Topics: Sea rescue

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com