Illegal Migrant Crossings in Europe
Frontex border control agency reported record high illegal migrant crossings on the West African route to Spain’s Canary Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean route. Majority of illegal arrivals in the Canary Islands were from Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania. Eastern Mediterranean route saw 13,700 arrivals of mostly Afghan, Egyptian, and Syrian migrants. Overall attempted illegal entries into the EU decreased by 12% compared to last year. However, the Mediterranean still experienced a high number of deaths.
Key Points
- Record high illegal migrant crossings on the West African route to Spain’s Canary Islands
- Majority of illegal arrivals in the Canary Islands from Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania
- Surge in illegal crossings on the Eastern Mediterranean route
- Overall attempted illegal entries into the EU decreased by 12% compared to last year
- High number of deaths in the Mediterranean