Two girls believed to be under 16 have reported being raped while traveling on a migrant boat heading toward Europe. Authorities said the assault took place before the vessel was intercepted by Maritime Rescue, which brought 29 people of sub-Saharan origin to safety on Friday afternoon, about 43 miles south of Formentera.
The girls were taken to Can Misses Hospital in Ibiza for medical treatment and tests. Police confirmed that both minors gave statements about the assault on Saturday, saying they had been attacked by two men traveling with them. The hospital activated its sexual violence protocol, which included medical staff and security officers attending to the victims.
Police have launched an investigation to establish the details of the case. More official information is expected in the coming days.
This latest case comes against the backdrop of repeated reports of abuse during dangerous sea crossings. Recently, accounts emerged of sub-Saharan migrants being beaten, tortured, and even thrown into the sea by traffickers. At the end of 2024, another young woman reported being raped on a similar journey to Formentera, leading to arrests and court action against the alleged attackers.
The Balearic Islands, including Ibiza, Menorca, and Mallorca, are facing growing pressure from migrant arrivals. In the first nine months of 2025, 126 boats carrying more than 2,000 people reached Ibiza and Formentera alone. The regional government says it is overwhelmed by the crisis, with more than 700 minors already under its care—far above the official capacity.
Madrid has instructed the Balearics to prepare to take in 400 more minors under a national redistribution plan, but local authorities have announced they will resist the move, saying they lack the resources to cope. The regional leadership has vowed to use legal measures if necessary to challenge the central government’s order.
The Spanish government has scheduled a meeting with Balearic officials on October 6 to discuss the mounting strain, as both the migrant crisis and reports of violence at sea continue to grow.