Migrant crossings to EU fall, but Central Med remains active
The number of irregular border crossings into the European Union fell by 27% in the first four months of 2025, reaching nearly 47,000, preliminary data from the EU’s border agency Frontex showed on Wednesday.
Declines were reported across all major migratory routes, with the largest drop of 58% recorded on the Western Balkans route. The Central Mediterranean route saw a more modest decrease of 3%.
The Central Mediterranean remained the busiest route, with 15,718 irregular crossings registered between January and April, broadly in line with the same period last year. A sharp drop in March was offset by a nearly 40% year-on-year rise in April due to improved weather conditions.
Bangladeshi nationals accounted for the majority of arrivals on this route. Smuggling networks are reported to coordinate the entire journey from Bangladesh, including flights and visa arrangements, with total costs estimated between €9,500 and €13,000.
The Eastern Mediterranean was the second most active route, with over 12,200 crossings recorded – a decrease of nearly one-third compared to the same period in 2024.
On the Western African route, arrivals fell by more than 33% to 10,400. The most common nationalities on this corridor were Malian, Senegalese, and Guinean.
Despite the overall decline, many continue to risk their lives in unsafe vessels to reach Europe. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that 555 people died at sea between January and April. In 2024, the death toll reached 2,300.
Meanwhile, on the Channel route to the United Kingdom, the number of attempted crossings rose by 5% year-on-year, reaching 18,100.
Kathimerini
