Nearly 8,000 migrants died or vanished on routes worldwide in 2025

At least 7,667 individuals died or went missing on migration routes worldwide in 2025, as reported by the UN migration agency on Thursday. The Mediterranean Sea crossing from Africa to Europe accounted for at least 2,108 lives lost, while 1,047 individuals died or disappeared attempting to reach Spain's Canary Islands. In the first two months of 2026, 606 migrant deaths have been recorded on the Mediterranean crossing as of Tuesday. The agency warns that the actual toll is likely higher.

IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized that "these deaths are not inevitable" and advocated for the establishment of safer legal routes. Accurate tracking is hindered by funding cuts to aid organizations, restrictions on humanitarian NGOs, and limited access to data. Recently, the remains of 23 individuals were found on the southern coasts of Italy and Libya, with many more missing at sea yet to be verified.

The global decrease from 2024's 9,200 deaths is partly due to fewer attempts on perilous routes, especially across the US-Mexico border and the Darien jungle. The IOM recorded 409 deaths in these regions, marking the lowest figure since 2014.

Based on reporting by Africanews.