Seventeen people of Maghrebi origin were rescued from a small boat in waters south-east of Formentera on Monday evening, 26 October, according to information provided by the Spanish Government Delegation in the Balearic Islands.

The boat was located at approximately 20:40, around 1.5 nautical miles south-east of the island. Salvamento Marítimo and officers from the Guardia Civil’s main post in Sant Josep de sa Talaia took part in the operation.

Second Rescue Reported Near Cabrera

The Formentera operation was one of two rescues carried out in Balearic waters that evening.

At around 22:00, a second boat was intercepted approximately 10 nautical miles east of Cabrera, carrying 25 people of sub-Saharan origin. Salvamento Marítimo, the Guardia Civil’s Citizen Security Unit (USECIC) and officers from the Felanitx post participated in that operation.

The two incidents brought the total number of people rescued in the two operations to 42.

Authorities Have Not Released Further Details

The reports available at the time of publication did not provide further information about the 17 people rescued near Formentera, including their health or subsequent arrangements.

The two operations add to the ongoing number of maritime rescue interventions involving small boats in the Balearic Islands. Further details should be attributed to the relevant authorities as they become available.