In the first ten months of this year, 281 000 irregular
entries were detected at the external borders of the European Union, according
to preliminary calculations.* This represents an increase of 77% compared with
the same period of last year and is the highest since 2016. The Western Balkan
route into the European Union remains the most active.
In October, EU Member States recorded about 42 000 irregular
crossings, 71% more than in the same month in 2021.
In total, more than 2 300 standing corps officers and
Frontex staff are taking part in various operational activities at the EU
external border.
Key
developments:
- 281
00 irregular entries recorded in first ten months
of 2022
- 42 000 irregular entries recorded in October
- Western Balkan route is the most active
- Western Mediterranean, Eastern Land Border
routes see drops in detections
Top migratory routes:
The Western Balkan route continues to be the most
active migratory route into the EU with more than 22 300 detections in October,
nearly three times as many as a year ago.
So far this year, the Western Balkan region has registered
the highest number of detections since the peak of the migration crisis in
2015. The high number of irregular border crossings can be attributed to
repeated attempts to cross the border by migrants already present in the
Western Balkans, but also to persons abusing visa-free access to the region.
Some migrants using visa-free access travel through Belgrade airport and then
overland towards the EU external borders.
Responding to this extraordinary migratory pressure, Frontex
supports the Western Balkan Countries with more than 500 standing corps
officers and staff in the region.
Meanwhile, the Central Mediterranean route has seen a
59% rise in the number of irregular border crossings detected in the
January-October period, increasing to over 85 000, making this the second most
active migratory route into the EU.
In the first ten
months of 2022, the number of irregular migrants detected in the Channel
stood at 62 000, which represents a 70% increase compared to the same period in
2021, including both attempts and crossings in small boats. This trend is
expected to surge before the winter conditions makes more difficult the sea
crossings.
Due to the large number of arrivals and delays in reporting
the press release was updated on 15 November.
*The figure includes other less active migratory routes not
mentioned in this press release. The final figures may be higher due to
delayed reporting.
