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Europe-bound sea journeys: Deaths among migrants rise
2,292 dead or missing in nine months
Motiur Rahman Munna, Greece
Published: 20 Sep 2026, 02:50 PM
Refugees from sub-Saharan Africa sit in a makeshift boat intercepted by Tunisian authorities about 50 nautical miles in the Mediterranean sea off the coast of the city of Sfax. File Photo: AFP
At least 2,292 migrants have died or gone missing while attempting to reach Europe through various sea routes across the Mediterranean and Atlantic oceans up to September 15 this year, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The Mediterranean and Atlantic routes are among the world's deadliest migration routes. Thousands of people undertake perilous sea journeys every year in the hope of reaching Europe. Although the number of migrants arriving by sea has declined this year, the number of deaths has increased.
IOM Director General Amy Pope said, “People are still dying and going missing at an alarming rate while trying to reach safety.”
According to her, the figures show that migrants are increasingly taking more dangerous journeys.
According to IOM data, the number of migrants who died or went missing on the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes during the same period in 2025 was 1,999. This means the number of deaths and missing migrants has increased compared to the same period last year.
The number of migrant deaths has increased most significantly on the Eastern Mediterranean route. Migrants mainly use this route in an attempt to reach Greece and other European countries.
According to IOM, the number of migrants who died or went missing on the Eastern Mediterranean route increased from 284 last year to 417 this year.
The figures include verified incidents of accidents and arrivals recorded up to September 15. However, IOM said the actual number of deaths is likely to be higher, as many shipwrecks and cases of missing migrants go unrecorded.
More than 17,000 returned to Libya
One of the main sea routes to Europe is the crossing of the Mediterranean from Libya. According to data provided by the Libyan Coast Guard, 17,067 migrants have been intercepted at sea and returned to Libya from January to mid-September.
A large number of migrants attempt to travel from Libya to Italy, Greece and other European countries. Such journeys are often made on unsafe boats controlled by human traffickers, resulting in frequent shipwrecks and loss of life.
The arrival of migrants and refugees in Europe has declined significantly since the beginning of this year. However, the number of deaths on the dangerous sea routes to Europe has increased.
According to IOM data, around 60,000 migrants and refugees have reached Europe by sea so far this year. During the same period last year, the number was 98,040. This means the number of migrants and refugees arriving in Europe by sea has decreased by 39 per cent year-on-year.
According to IOM, although the number of migrants arriving by sea has declined, deaths are increasing because of dangerous journeys. Therefore, greater attention should be given not only to reducing arrivals but also to saving lives at sea, combating human trafficking, and creating safe and legal pathways for migration.
The organisation says that considering the risks and needs behind sea migration, expanding safe, regular and legal migration opportunities could help reduce deaths on dangerous sea journeys.