According to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) published on August 12, 2026, migrant arrivals in Europe have decreased on major routes, but the journeys have become increasingly deadly. The report highlights that migrants are now taking longer and more dangerous paths, leading to a higher mortality rate.
The IOM's Missing Migrants Project recorded at least 1,200 deaths on migration routes to Europe in the first half of 2026, a significant increase compared to the same period in 2025. The deadliest route remains the Central Mediterranean, where over 800 people have died or gone missing, despite a drop in the number of crossings.
Other routes, such as the Western African Atlantic route to the Canary Islands, have seen a surge in deaths, with at least 300 fatalities reported. The report attributes these deaths to the use of unseaworthy boats and the increasing length of the journeys, as migrants avoid stricter border controls.
The IOM calls for more legal pathways and improved search-and-rescue operations to prevent further loss of life. The report also notes that the actual number of deaths is likely higher, as many incidents go unreported.
