The number of illegal border crossings at Europe’s external
borders in the first seven months of 2021 reached over 82 000, 59% more than
the total from a year ago, according to preliminary calculations.
In July, Frontex registered 17 300 illegal border crossings,
33% more than in the same month last year and slightly more than in the
previous month (14 600). Migratory pressure continued to build up on the
eastern frontiers of the European Union with more than 3000 illegal entries
from Belarus registered at the border to Lithuania in July.
The Central Mediterranean route accounted for the highest
share of illegal border-crossings in July, followed by the Western Balkan route.
Central
Mediterranean
In July, 7
600 illegal border crossings have been registered on the Central Mediterranean
route into Europe, roughly in line with the same month last year. This brings
the total for this year to 30 800, a 96% increase compared with last year.
Most
migrants on this route came from Tunisia, Bangladesh and Egypt.
Western
Mediterranean
On the sea route towards Spain, Frontex recorded 1380 detections,
a drop of 32% compared with July 2020. So far this year, 7 040 illegal border
crossings were detected on this route, roughly in line with last year’s trend (6
500).
Algerian nationals represented 67% of all arrivals on this
route, followed by Moroccans. The reason for such a high percentage of Algerian
nationals might be the ongoing political and economic situation in the country
which have pushed a rising number of people to attempt to reach Europe.
Western African
Nearly 400 illegal crossings have been detected on the
Western African route in July, in line with the same month last year. In total,
there were 7350 detections this year, 130% more than last year. Most nationals
continue coming from sub-Saharan countries.
Western Balkans
The Western Balkan route saw 3 600 detections in July, 67%
more than a year ago. The total number of illegal border crossings this year
rose by 90% and amounted to 22 600. The majority of migrants came from Syria
and Afghanistan, followed by nationals of Morocco.
Eastern Mediterranean
In July, Frontex observed a slight decrease in the number of
detections on the route towards Greece in July with 1065 illegal border
crossings. The total for the first seven months of this year dropped by 33% and
reached 9 000 compared with 13370 the year before.
Nationals of Syria and Turkey accounted for the largest
number of detected migrants.
