Tragic Day in Formentera

A woman found dead and another injured

Formentera, October 6, 2025

Formentera endured a tragic and violent Sunday on October 5. Within just a few hours, the small Pityusic island was shaken by two serious incidents in the town of Es Pujols. In one case, a 45-year-old woman was found dead in her home, and her partner was arrested by the Guardia Civil. In the other, a hotel worker was seriously injured after being stabbed by her former partner.

Both events occurred in the same urban area and prompted a large deployment of emergency and law enforcement personnel. Authorities described the day as one of the most violent the island has seen in recent years.

The local community, deeply shocked, voiced concern over the rise in intimate partner violence and emphasized the urgent need to strengthen support and protection for victims. The incidents, which took place in a normally peaceful and tourist-heavy setting, left Formentera shaken and on high alert.

Throughout the day, the Guardia Civil continued investigating both incidents to clarify the circumstances and determine whether they constituted gender-based violence, although in one case that classification has not been officially confirmed.

Italian woman found dead

The first incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. in a residential building in Es Pujols, where a 45-year-old Italian woman, a resident of the island, was found dead. Her partner, also Italian, was present at the scene and was taken into custody by the Guardia Civil.

While the cause of death has not yet been confirmed, authorities deployed specialized teams from Mallorca to Formentera, including officers from the Judicial Police’s Persons Unit and forensic technicians. The body was recovered at 4:30 p.m. following a detailed on-site investigation. It was then transferred for autopsy.

Colombian woman seriously injured

Just hours later, another serious incident rocked the same town of Es Pujols. A 35-year-old woman was stabbed in the neck by her former partner inside the hotel where she works as a housekeeper. The attacker, a 27-year-old Colombian man, reportedly had a restraining order in place, which he violated by entering the premises.

Following the attack, coworkers and nearby business employees acted quickly to stop the bleeding and transported the victim by taxi to Formentera Hospital. En route, an advanced life support ambulance intercepted the vehicle and began emergency medical treatment.

Due to the severity of her injuries, the woman was airlifted by helicopter to Son Espases Hospital in Mallorca, where she remains in serious condition. The attacker was arrested by the Guardia Civil, who continue to investigate the circumstances of the assault.

Shock across the island

The coincidence of both incidents on the same day has caused widespread shock among the people of Formentera. Local associations and institutional representatives expressed their sorrow and demanded stronger measures against gender-based violence and violence within intimate relationships.

The Guardia Civil is still working to clarify both cases and determine whether they fall under the category of gender-based violence. Sunday’s events have left a painful mark on the island, underscoring the importance of prevention, reporting, and victim protection.