(see related story on Lampedusa)
Frontex said Wednesday irregular
crossings at the EU's external borders added up to around
331,600 in the first 10 months of 2023, the highest total for
the period since 2015, with the Central Mediterranean remaining
the busiest migratory route.
The EU border agency said more than 143,600 people arrived via
the Central Mediterranean route between North Africa and Italy
in the January-October period, the highest total for this route
for this period since 2016.
It said the number of monthly detections on this route dropped
50% month-on-month to October to nearly 9,600.
"Sea crossings continue to present extreme dangers," Frontex
said.
"Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
indicates that 2,468 people have been reported missing in the
Mediterranean this year, the majority of whom were navigating
the Central Mediterranean route".
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