Registered illegal border crossings of the European Union fell by 23% to nearly 80,000 people in the first five months of 2024, according to preliminary data from Frontex.
The biggest drop is on the routes through the Western Balkans and the Central Mediterranean, respectively by 71% and 58%.
In contrast, routes through West Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean saw a significant increase, with illegal crossings increasing by 303% and 103% respectively.
The largest groups on all routes this year are from Syria, Mali, Afghanistan.
Crossing the sea continues to be fraught with danger.
Figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) show that 923 people have been reported missing in the Mediterranean so far this year. I BGNES
