Seventeen migrants believed dead trying to reach Spain's Balearic Islands

Key facts

• Seventeen migrants are believed to have died attempting to reach Spain's Balearic Islands.
• Two survivors were rescued off the coast of Mallorca, showing signs of malnutrition and dehydration.
• The survivors stated 19 people were originally on the boat.
• Authorities could not independently confirm the deaths.
• The route from Algeria to the Balearic Islands has become the fastest-growing migratory passage into the EU.

Seventeen migrants are believed to have died while attempting to reach Spain's Balearic Islands, according to authorities who cited the testimony of two survivors rescued off the coast of Mallorca. The survivors, who were hospitalized, indicated that 19 people were initially on the vessel. Authorities could not independently confirm the deaths.

The rescue occurred approximately 13 nautical miles southwest of Mallorca. In a separate incident later the same day, authorities rescued 17 migrants alive and two deceased from another boat believed to be carrying around 30 people, with search efforts continuing for the remaining passengers.

The route from Algeria to the Balearic Islands has become the fastest-growing migratory passage into the European Union from January to June of this year, according to EU border agency Frontex, even as overall arrivals to the bloc have fallen. Spain's Interior Ministry data shows overall arrivals to Spain are down close to 25%. Frontex noted last year that smugglers were shifting operations to Algeria from Morocco due to perceived less stringent controls and were using faster boats. Spain has increased cooperation on migration control with Algeria.