The number of irregular border
crossings into the European Union in the first four months of 2024 fell by
nearly a quarter (23%) to around 63 400, according to preliminary data. The Western
Balkans and Central Mediterranean saw the biggest drops in detections of
irregular crossings among the major migratory routes (-69% and -62%,
respectively), while the Western African and Eastern Mediterranean routes
experienced the highest increases (+375% and +105%).
Key highlights for the first four months of 2024 include:
- Central Mediterranean saw a 62% drop (y/y) in
detections.
- Western Balkans also continued to see
significantly lower numbers (-69%), biggest drop among major migratory routes
into the EU.
- Western African route recorded the largest
rise.
- Eastern Mediterranean was the most active
migratory route, with arrivals doubled.
- Top three nationalities on all routes this
year: Syria, Mali, Afghanistan.
The Central Mediterranean
route, which saw the largest number of irregular crossings in 2023, continued
to show a downward trend from recent months, with a year-on-year drop of 62% to
slightly above 16 000. In April, the number of arrivals stood at nearly 4 600,
down nearly 70% from a year ago.
Also in line with the recent
downward trend, the number of detections on the Western Balkan route in
the January-April period fell by more than two-thirds (-69%) to just over
7000.
Meanwhile, the Western African
route continued to see unprecedented numbers of detections, with the number of
irregular arrivals to the Canary Islands in the first four months of the year
rising 375% from the same period of last year to over 16 200. This was the
highest total for this period since Frontex began collecting data in 2011. In
April, the number of arrivals stood at over 3 100, close to the total for the
first four months of last year (3 400).
In recent months criminal groups
involved in people smuggling in Mauritania were quick to seize opportunities
presented by the increased demand from sub-Saharan migrants transiting their
country seeking to enter the European Union via the Canary Islands. People
smugglers have been cramming an increasing number of migrants onto Cayuco
boats, putting the lives of the people on board in even greater danger.
Last year, the Western African
route experienced the biggest percentage rise in irregular crossings.
The most active migratory route
in the January-April period was the Eastern Mediterranean, with the
number of detections more than doubling to over 17 300 in the first two months
of the year.
Frontex remains committed to
safeguarding the EU’s borders, with over 2800 officers and staff engaged in
various operations.
Sea crossings remain fraught with
peril for the people undertaking irregular migration. Data from the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicates that 568 individuals
have been reported missing in the Mediterranean so far this year. The vast majority
of them were navigating the perilous Central Mediterranean route.
On the Channel route, the number of detections
in the first four months of 2024 increased 34% to over 16 300.
Note: The preliminary data presented in this statement refer to the number of detections of irregular border crossing at the external borders of the European Union. The same person may cross the border several times in different locations at the external border.
