Migrant sea crossings to Europe drop sharply as deaths rise: IOM

More than 2,200 migrants died or vanished at sea in 2026, despite declining crossings into Europe, says IOM.The number of migrants crossing to Europe via sea routes has dropped sharply since January this year, as the journey is becoming more dangerous, according to a new report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).The agency said about 60,000 migrants and refugees reached Europe by boat so far in 2026, down 39 percent from roughly 98,000 over the same period last year.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Spain asks EU for help to process 5,000 Ceuta migrants amid local unrestlist 2 of 4Spain’s Sanchez says Russia, Israel spread disinformation on Ceuta crisislist 3 of 4Five killed, dozens more feared dead in boat adrift off Canary Islandslist 4 of 4Five EU nations inch towards deal on migrant ‘return hubs’ by 2027end of listThe new report shows that, despite the decline, at least 2,292 people have died or gone missing attempting the crossing, up from 1,999 over the same period last year, many on overcrowded, ill-suited boats departing Libya’s coast.“These figures tell two stories at once,” IOM Director General Amy Pope said Thursday.“Fewer people are arriving by sea in Europe than at this point last year,” Pope said, noting that “people are still dying and going missing in alarming numbers trying to reach safety”.“Behind every number is a human being, a family, a community,” she added, calling for “sustained international cooperation that saves lives, protects people on the move, combats trafficking and exploitation, and expands safe, regular pathways”.“Nearly every death and disappearance at sea is preventable,” she said.The toll varies by route, but the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes are “the deadliest maritime routes in the world”, according to the IOM.A picture shows makeshift tents of migrants on Benitez beach in Ceuta, Spain, on September 13, 2026 [Antonio Sempere/AFP]Arrivals via the Central Mediterranean, the main crossing from North Africa to Italy, fell by more than half, yet deaths there still climbed from 844 to 996.