Tragic Discovery: Baby’s Body from Migrant Shipwreck Found on Spanish Beach
Baby Girl Found After Deadly Mediterranean Shipwreck
Spanish police have identified the body of a baby girl found on a beach near Tarragona as one of 15 victims who drowned in a migrant shipwreck in April. The boat, carrying the infant, her parents, and 12 others, set off from northern Algeria on March 21. It sank off the Balearic Islands on April 6, killing everyone on board.
Decomposed Body Found by Cleaning Crew
The heart-wrenching discovery was made on July 11 by a municipal cleaning team at Roda de Bera beach, around 124 miles northwest of Mallorca. The Criminalistics Service confirmed her identity by matching her DNA with samples taken from her mother.
Spain: A Deadly Gateway for Migrants
According to Spain’s Guardia Civil, this marks the eighth body recovered from that tragic wreck. Spain remains a key entry point for migrants and refugees fleeing violence and poverty, particularly from Algeria and Morocco.
The eastern Spanish coast, especially the route from Algeria, is the second deadliest in the Mediterranean for migrants. Last year alone, 464 lives were lost across 43 shipwrecks, reports migrant charity Walking Borders.
Migrant Numbers Dip Slightly in 2024
Spain’s interior ministry data reveal that between January 1 and July 15 this year, 14,021 migrants entered Spain irregularly by land and sea—a 6.5% drop compared to last year.
