Mediterranean migrant deaths under investigation after grisly discovery
Spanish authorities have opened a homicide investigation after several bodies were found floating in the Mediterranean Sea with their hands and feet bound. The victims are believed to be migrants who may have been killed and thrown overboard during a dangerous crossing from North Africa to Spain.
The alarming discovery was made by Spain’s Civil Guard patrol boats off the coast of the Balearic Islands. According to Spanish media, at least five such bodies have been recovered since mid-May. Police sources cited by Diario de Mallorca suggest a violent incident may have occurred onboard a migrant vessel, potentially involving smugglers, leading to some individuals being restrained and thrown into the sea.
“This exposes the cruelest side of irregular migration,” said Marga Prohens, president of the Balearic Islands, in comments to local media.
The Civil Guard has confirmed the deaths are being treated as suspected homicides. Investigators are working to identify the victims and clarify the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Balearic Islands see rising migrant arrivals from North Africa
While most migrants attempting to reach Spain arrive via the Canary Islands in the Atlantic, an increasing number are turning to the shorter yet still perilous route across the Mediterranean to the Balearic Islands. So far this year, authorities report that 31 bodies have been recovered from the waters and beaches of the Balearic archipelago.
The Mediterranean Sea remains one of the deadliest migrant routes globally. In 2023 alone, over 8,500 migrant deaths were recorded worldwide by the International Organization for Migration, with more than a third occurring in Mediterranean waters.
Deadly crossings and rescues in Spanish waters
Despite the dangers, many continue to risk their lives attempting to reach Europe. Earlier this month, a Spanish NGO rescued more than 50 migrants stranded on an abandoned oil platform, including a woman who gave birth during the ordeal. In January, the Spanish coastguard saved a newborn who had been delivered aboard a crowded inflatable boat en route to the Canary Islands.
The grim discovery of bound bodies in the Mediterranean has renewed concerns about migrant safety and the brutal practices of smuggling networks operating along North African routes. As investigations continue, Spanish authorities stress the urgent need to tackle the deadly consequences of irregular migration across the region.
