(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JANUARY 17 - The number of irregular border crossings detected on the EU's external borders last year fell to the lowest level since 2013 due to a drop in the number of people reaching European shores via the Central and Western Mediterranean routes, Frontex said in a statement today. Preliminary 2019 data collected by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, showed a 6% fall in border crossings along the EU's external borders to just over 139 000, -92% below the record number set in 2015. The number of irregular migrants crossing the Central Mediterranean fell roughly 41% and in the Western Mediterranean by 58%.

However, the Eastern Mediterranean saw growing migratory pressure, Frontex noted, adding that in 2019 there were more than 82,000 migrants detected on this route, roughly 46% more than in the previous year. In total, around 14 000 irregular crossings were detected at the EU's borders on the Western Balkan route last year, more than double the 2018 figure, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency said. (ANSA).