Seventeen asylum seekers have died trying to reach the shores of Spain’s Balearic Islands after 15 days of travel, authorities said, citing the testimony of two survivors who were rescued from a boat off the coast of Mallorca.
Both survivors, who were from North African countries, showed signs of malnutrition and dehydration, and were hospitalised, the Spanish government’s office in the region said on Tuesday.
The two survivors said 19 people were originally onboard the vessel. Authorities could not independently confirm the deaths.
An emergency helicopter was mobilised to search the area near the location of Tuesday’s rescue, as well as to issue a notice to mariners, the government’s office said.
The boat was found about 13 nautical miles southwest of the island of Mallorca, in the Mediterranean Sea.
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