GENEVA, April 21 (Reuters) – A staggering 8,000 individuals lost their lives or vanished while navigating migration routes last year, according to a report released by a United Nations agency on Tuesday. The report highlights that sea routes to Europe were particularly perilous, with many victims falling prey to “invisible shipwrecks.”
Maria Moita, head of the International Organization for Migration’s humanitarian and response division, emphasized the gravity of the situation during a press conference in Geneva, lamenting, “These figures are a stark reflection of our collective inability to prevent these tragedies.”
The agency reported that while the death toll of 7,904 was a decrease from the peak of 9,197 recorded in 2024, this reduction was partially attributed to the inability to verify around 1,500 suspected cases due to reductions in aid funding.
Alarmingly, over 40% of the fatalities and disappearances occurred on treacherous sea routes leading to Europe.
The report shed light on the phenomenon of “invisible shipwrecks,” where entire vessels vanish without a trace, underscoring the dangers faced by migrants at sea.
The route from West Africa northwards claimed approximately 1,200 lives. Meanwhile, Asia saw a record number of casualties, including hundreds of Rohingya refugees desperately escaping violence in Myanmar or the dire conditions in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh.
“Routes are shifting in response to conflict, climate pressures and policy changes, but the risks are still very real,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope in a statement.
“Behind these numbers are people taking dangerous journeys and families left waiting for news that may never come.”
