Spanish maritime rescue services have launched a search operation for two migrant boats reported to have departed from Algeria towards the Balearic Islands with a total of 23 people aboard. The vessels reportedly left on 4 and 6 October, and their whereabouts remained unknown following an aerial search south of the archipelago.

José Ramón Crespí, head of Salvamento Marítimo in the Balearic Islands, confirmed that a rescue helicopter and aircraft searched the area on Sunday, 11 October, but did not locate either boat.

Two Departures Reported from Algeria

According to information shared by Alarm Phone, the first boat departed from Zeralda, Algeria, on 4 October with 17 people aboard and was heading towards the Balearic Islands.

The second boat reportedly left Algeria on 6 October carrying six people, with Spain as its destination.

No further information about either boat had been received by the time the alerts were reported. The authorities had been notified of both cases.

Aerial Search Fails to Locate the Boats

The search operation included a helicopter and an aircraft from Salvamento Marítimo, which surveyed waters south of the Balearic Islands on 11 October.

The operation did not locate the missing vessels. Crespí also noted that aircraft operated by Frontex and the Guardia Civil regularly patrol this part of the Mediterranean to monitor possible arrivals.

The Situation Remains Unconfirmed

The whereabouts of both boats and the condition of the 23 people reported aboard remain unconfirmed in the available information.

Alarm Phone has called on the relevant authorities to fulfil their search-and-rescue responsibilities after receiving the alerts.

No confirmed information has been published establishing whether either boat has been found or whether the people aboard have been rescued. The search reports therefore do not establish the fate of those involved.