At least 606 migrants dead or missing in Mediterranean so far in 2026
At least 606 migrants have died or gone missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea since the start of 2026, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The agency described the figure as the deadliest start to a year in the Mediterranean since it began tracking such data in 2014.
The latest tragedy occurred Saturday when a vessel carrying migrants capsized off the Greek island of Crete amid bad weather. Greek authorities recovered four bodies — three men and one woman — and continued search operations with patrol boats. At least 30 people remain missing.
The passengers, mainly from Sudan and Egypt, included four minors. According to the IOM, the boat departed from Tobruk, Libya, on Feb. 19 and capsized about 20 nautical miles off the port of Kaloi Limenes.
Crete has seen a steady increase in arrivals from Libya over the past year, as migrants attempt the dangerous journey to reach European Union territory.
The IOM urged stronger regional cooperation and expanded search-and-rescue efforts in the central Mediterranean, warning that human traffickers continue to exploit vulnerable people. The agency also called for the creation of safe and legal migration pathways to help prevent further loss of life.
