Fewer migrants, more deaths on the way to Europe — Asharq Al-Awsat
About 60,000 migrants and refugees have attempted to reach Europe via sea routes, including routes to Italy and Spain, since the beginning of 2026. This is 39% fewer than during the same period last year, Asharq Al-Awsat reports, citing the International Organization for Migration. At the same time, the number of deaths on these routes rose to 2,292 people, compared with 1,999 a year earlier.
Route to Italy
The largest decline in arrivals was recorded on the central Mediterranean route to Italy. It was used by 21,393 people, which is less than half of last year's figure.
At the same time, this route was the deadliest: the number of deaths there increased from 844 to 996. The route to Spain via the Atlantic Ocean and the western Mediterranean was second in terms of deaths, with 879 people killed.
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Data may be incomplete
International Organization for Migration Director General Amy Pope said that nearly every death or disappearance at sea can be prevented. According to her, these data show that people are choosing increasingly dangerous journeys.
Pope also noted that the consequences of tragedies continue for years: human remains may remain unidentified, while families seek answers in different countries. The organization warned that the actual death toll may be higher, as shipwrecks and disappearances at sea often go unrecorded.
