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IOM reports rising migrant deaths despite drop in European sea arrivals
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that while sea arrivals in Europe have dropped by approximately 39 percent compared to the same period in 2025, the number of deaths and disappearances during these crossings has increased. As of September 15, 2026, roughly 60,000 migrants and refugees reached Europe by sea, up from 98,000 during the same period last year.
Despite the decline in arrivals, at least 2,292 people have died or gone missing in 2026, compared to 1,999 in the previous year. This rise is attributed to migrants taking increasingly dangerous and overcrowded routes. The Central Mediterranean route to Italy saw a significant drop in arrivals, falling from over 48,000 last year to approximately 21,000 this year, yet deaths on this route rose from 844 to 996.
In Greece, arrivals decreased by about 5,000, but deaths increased by 47 percent. On routes toward Spain via the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean, at least 879 people died or went missing. IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized that nearly every death at sea is preventable and called for enhanced international cooperation, improved rescue operations, and the establishment of safe, legal migration pathways.
Entities
Amy Pope · Atlantic Ocean · Greece · International Organization for Migration · Italy · Mediterranean Sea · Spain
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 14 SOURCES] At least 2,292 people have died or gone missing during sea crossings in 2026. haitigazette.com · n1info.rs · www.europesays.com · jamaicainquirer.com · nieuws.marokko.nl · +9 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] Deaths on the Central Mediterranean route to Italy rose from 844 to 996. haitigazette.com · www.europesays.com · triblive.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com · www.aljazeera.com · +9 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] Approximately 60,000 migrants and refugees reached Europe by sea in 2026 as of September 15. haitigazette.com · n1info.rs · www.europesays.com · jamaicainquirer.com · nieuws.marokko.nl · +9 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] IOM Director General Amy Pope stated that nearly every death and disappearance at sea is preventable. haitigazette.com · n1info.rs · www.europesays.com · jamaicainquirer.com · nieuws.marokko.nl · +9 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Greece saw a decrease in arrivals but a 47 percent increase in deaths on migration routes. n1info.rs · www.europesays.com · triblive.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com · www.ekirikas.com · +1 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] Sea arrivals in Europe have decreased by 39 percent compared to the same period in 2025. haitigazette.com · n1info.rs · www.europesays.com · jamaicainquirer.com · nieuws.marokko.nl · +9 more