The United Nations migration agency has found that 2023 was the deadliest on record for migrants, with 8,565 people dying on routes around the world.
The previous deadliest year was 2016, when 8,084 migrants around the world perished.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported the figures based on data collected by its Missing Migrants Project.
“In the absence of regular and safe routes for migrants people continue to die,” IOM communications officer Jorge Galindo told RFI.
The 2023 death toll was 20 percent higher than 2022, with a little more than half of the deaths the result of drowning.
Mediterranean deadliest
The Mediterranean crossing between northern Africa and Europe remains the deadliest route for migrants, with at least 3,129 deaths and disappearances registered.
More than 600 people died in one single shipwreck off the coast of Greece on 14 June, 2023.
“We note some worrying trends like the Mediterranean, which remains the most deadly transit route in the world," said Galindo.
"We also have seen the appearance of what we call invisible ships, which means numerous victims or bodies that appear on shores are not connected to shipwrecks, so are not counted as migrants.”
Regionally, the IOM said most deaths in Africa occurred in the Sahara Desert and in the sea on route to the Canary Islands.
'Horrifying figures'
"These horrifying figures ... are also a reminder that we must recommit to greater action that can ensure safe migration for all, so that 10 years from now people aren't having to risk their lives in search of a better one," said IOM Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniels.
The Missing Migrants Project has been recording migrant deaths and disappearances since 2014, when it was established following two deadly shipwrecks off the coast of Lampedusa in Italy.
In 10 years it has documented the deaths of more than 63,000 migrants worldwide.
“It's important to note that even if our database is the largest to count migrants, and 63,000 deaths recorded worldwide, the number may be much higher,” said Galindo.
Since 2014, the remains of 26,553 migrants have not been recovered, according to the project.
(with AFP)
