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Migrant tragedy in Balearics as Guardia Civil investigates bodies found bound in the sea
At least five shackled bodies have been recovered near Formentera, raising fears of possible foul play
A disturbing discovery off the coast of the Balearic Islands has prompted an urgent investigation by the Guardia Civil, after at least five bodies were found floating in the sea with their hands and feet bound.The lifeless bodies, believed to be those of migrants attempting the perilous crossing from Algeria to Spain, have appeared in different parts of the Balearic waters over the past month. One of the first was spotted on May 18 by a Belgian-flagged private vessel sailing west of Formentera. The Guardia Civil patrol boat Río Segura responded to the call and, after about two hours of searching, recovered the body of a man wearing an orange life jacket, his hands and feet tied.
Just days later, another body was located nearby, also bound in a similar manner. In total, at least five such bodies have now been recovered. While the exact cause of death remains under investigation, authorities suspect foul play. As sources close to the case explained, the manner in which the bodies were found has led the Guardia Civil to treat the case as a possible series of murders.
“Forensic teams are examining the remains to determine identities and causes of death,” confirmed a police source. Necrofingerprinting, which commonly used by forensic teams during investigations to help identify unidentified bodies when other methods, like facial recognition, are not possible due to decomposition or injury, is being carried out where possible. If fingerprints can’t be recovered, DNA sampling is the next step. Unfortunately, the advanced state of decomposition in some cases have made both processes difficult.
The President of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, addressed the situation publicly during an emergency drill in Sa Calobra. “It is the cruelest aspect of something we’ve been denouncing for some time,” she said, referring to the increasingly dangerous migration route between Algeria and the Balearics.
“We ask the central government not to leave the Balearic Islands alone.”
According to the NGO Caminando Fronteras, 517 people died in 2024 while attempting the journey from Algeria to Spain. Many of these deaths go unreported or undocumented. Investigators say it is rare for abuses during the crossing to be reported, which makes uncovering the truth behind cases like these even more difficult.
Despite the tragedy, crossings continue. Between Friday June 20 and Sunday June 22, Spanish security forces and Maritime Rescue teams intercepted 344 more migrants attempting to reach the archipelago in small, fragile and unseaworthy boats.
The Guardia Civil and the Policía Judicial of Ibiza continue to work on the case, hoping to bring some clarity, and accountability, to what has been described as one of the most “chilling” maritime incidents in recent memory.
Image: Magda Ehlers/Pexels
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