A rescue operation remains underway after the grim discovery in the waters off the Cabrera archipelago, Spain. The sailboat alerted authorities, who are working at the scene.

       According to sources from the Government Delegation, the sighting was reported at 4.08pm on Monday. The number of lifeless bodies was initially thought to be seventeen.

       Later, the Government Delegation confirmed that 11 lifeless bodies have been located with three people rescued alive by Maritime Rescue.

       The maritime rescue operation remains underway.

       Two sets of remains have already been recovered by a yacht present in the area.

       A Maritime Rescue helicopter as well as the Civil Guard helicopter, known as Cuco, were deployed to the scene.

       Several Maritime Rescue boats have also joined the efforts in waters west of Cabrera, south of Mallorca.

       Current evidence indicates that the victims were traveling aboard a boat to try to reach the Balearic coast from North Africa.

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       It follows reports by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) suggesting Monday saw waves of more than three metres in the waters separating the Balearic Islands and Algeria.

       If the incident is migrant related, it would be the greatest tragedy related to illegal immigration to have occurred in the history of the Balearic Islands.

       While the rescue operation remains underway, no further details of the circumstances that occurred in the Balearic waters are known.