A total of 598 people have arrived on skiffs to the Pitiusas coasts so far this year, 172 less than in 2021 which represents a provisional decrease of 22.3%. The decrease is common to Ibiza and Formentera. The latter island has, since last year, become the second largest recipient of migrants, after Mallorca. So far in 2022, 453 people have arrived on Formentera by illegal  crossings from the Algerian coasts, compared to 555 in 2021. For its part, Ibiza has so far received the arrival of 145 migrants, 70 less than last year

Pateras Acumuladas En El Puerto De Vila. | J.a. Riera

Skffs accumulated in the port of Vila. | J.A. RIERA

The first of the skiffs that arrived in the Pitiusas was on New Year’s Day at s’Estufador on Formentera, with fifteen migrants on board. The group consisted of eight people of sub-Saharan origin from Guinea and another of seven migrants from Algeria. Apparently, the skipper, who was arrested days later, had ordered the migrants to divide into two groups when they arrived on land and not to report that he had been in charge of the only boat arriving on the island

The arrival of the boats was concentrated between September 9th, 10th and 11th. Over these 3 days, 10 small boats arrived to the islands with a total of 174 people on board. Only 1 boat arrived on Ibiza with 16 migrants, while Formentera received the rest. Saturday, September 10th registered the biggest arrival. On this day, 108 people reached the coast of Formentera by skiff

The first skiff reached the Pitiüses on New Year’s Day, with fifteen people on board of Algerian and Guinean origin

Decoration

On the other hand, at least 50 people did not survive the crossing undertaken from the Algerian region of Boumerdés to the Pitiusas at the beginning of November. A tragedy to which the death of three people traveling by boat must be added, whose crew members were rescued by Salvamento Marítimo on June 9th in the South of Formentera. Two of them died during the journey and were thrown into the sea before being rescued, while another lifeless body remained in the boat at the time when Salvamento intervened

For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.