An Algerian migrant sits in a public park after arriving from Algeria earlier in the day, as more than 30 boats carrying about 600 irregular migrants have reached the Balearic Islands since Monday, according to officials, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, August 12, 2025. REUTERS/Francisco Ubilla
BARCELONA (Reuters) -Nineteen boats carrying around 360 people reached Spain's Balearic Islands in the past two days, the latest surge in arrivals defying attempts by authorities to curb the fastest-growing migratory route into the European Union.
Arrivals via the Western Mediterranean route - primarily boats departing Algeria for Spain - rose 27% in January-October compared with the same period last year, the steepest increase among routes, even as overall arrivals to the EU fell 22%, according to data from EU border agency Frontex.
