As climate change manifests, journeys are becoming increasingly dangerous, the report found
Migrant deaths more than doubled in the Central and East Mediterranean in the first four months of 2026 even as crossings halved, a new report from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) found.
Harsher conditions meant fewer people attempted the journey, but those who did faced far greater risks.
“Fewer arrivals do not mean safer journeys,” said Ugochi Daniels, deputy director general for the UN’s migration arm, IOM, in connection with the release of a report on global migration.
Around 8,500 migrants attempted to reach Europe via the Central Mediterranean route, primarily towards Italy, almost half the number recorded during the same period last year. Yet 821 people died or disappeared during the journey, more than twice as many as a year earlier.
