IOM Reports Decline in Migrant Crossings to Europe Amid Increased Risks

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that more than 2,200 migrants died or went missing at sea in 2026, despite a decline in crossings into Europe. According to the IOM, approximately 60,000 migrants and refugees have reached Europe by boat so far in 2026, representing a 39 percent decrease from about 98,000 during the same period last year. The report indicates that, despite this decline, at least 2,292 individuals have died or gone missing while attempting the crossing, an increase from 1,999 during the same timeframe last year, with many using overcrowded and unsuitable boats departing from Libya's coast. IOM Director General Amy Pope stated, "Fewer people are arriving by sea in Europe than at this point last year," while emphasizing that "people are still dying and going missing in alarming numbers trying to reach safety." Pope called for sustained international cooperation to save lives, protect migrants, combat trafficking, and expand safe migration pathways. The report identifies the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes as the deadliest maritime routes globally. Arrivals via the Central Mediterranean, the primary crossing from North Africa to Italy, have decreased by more than half, yet deaths in this area rose from 844 to 996. Greece experienced a smaller drop in arrivals but a significant increase in deaths, from 284 to 417, while Spain saw both arrivals and overall numbers decline, with 879 individuals reported dead or missing on routes to Spain. The IOM noted that most migrants are fleeing war and persecution, with economic hardship being the primary reason for migration, followed by conflict and targeted violence. The agency documented over 104,000 individuals fleeing the war in Yemen, along with significant displacement from Lebanon and Syria due to ongoing conflicts. The true death toll is likely higher, as many boats disappear without being recorded. Several European governments have recently moved towards stricter border policies, influenced by pressure from right-wing parties. The European Union agreed in June to new rules permitting migrant deportations to countries outside the bloc, while the IOM advocates for more legal migration routes into Europe and stronger measures to mitigate risks along existing crossings. This report follows a migration crisis in July when over 70,000 individuals crossed from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in just two days, resulting in at least 90 deaths and prompting nationwide protests regarding the government's response to the influx.