Latest news with #MissingMigrantsProject
Libya Review
4 days ago
- General
- Libya Review
Dozens Feared Dead as Migrant Boats Sink Near Libyan Coast
On Tuesday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed two tragic shipwrecks off Libya's coast in recent days, with at least 60 migrants feared missing. Survivors were given emergency care by IOM teams upon arrival. 'These tragedies have left families devastated,' said Othman Belbeisi, IOM's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. 'We urge the international community to intensify search and rescue efforts and ensure safe, predictable disembarkation for survivors. Our thoughts are with all those affected.' The first shipwreck occurred on June 12 near Alshab port in western Libya. Only five people were rescued. Twenty-one others remain missing, including six Eritreans—three of whom were children—five Pakistanis, four Egyptians, and two Sudanese men. The nationalities of the four others are still unknown. The second shipwreck happened a day later, on June 13, roughly 35 kilometers west of Tobruk. One man survived, rescued by local fishermen. He reported that 39 people were lost at sea. Over the following days, three bodies washed ashore—two on Umm Aqiqih beach on June 14 and one on Elramla beach in Tobruk the next day. Identification efforts are ongoing, with support from members of the Sudanese community. So far in 2025, at least 743 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean. Of those, 538 died on the Central Mediterranean route, which continues to be the world's deadliest path for migrants. Smugglers are using increasingly dangerous methods, while search and rescue operations remain under-equipped and humanitarian aid efforts face growing restrictions. IOM's Search and Rescue programme in Libya provides immediate assistance to survivors of shipwrecks and desert rescues. The organization also supports local authorities by equipping them with the tools needed to respond to migration emergencies. Globally, IOM's Missing Migrants Project has recorded over 75,000 deaths and disappearances since 2014. More than half occurred in or near crisis-affected countries, highlighting the connection between displacement, insecurity, and the absence of legal migration routes. Tags: europeIOMlibyaLibyan Coastsmigrants
Libya Review
11-06-2025
- General
- Libya Review
IOM: 10 Migrants Found Dead After Leaving Libya
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has expressed deep sorrow following reports of ten migrant bodies found washed up near Marsa Matrouh on Egypt's northern coast. The migrants, from various nationalities, are believed to have departed from Libya. In an official statement, the IOM described the tragedy as yet another painful reminder of the high human cost of irregular migration. The agency stressed the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to establish safe, inclusive, and regular migration pathways for all. The IOM also praised the Egyptian government for its humane and dignified response to the incident, commending its adherence to the highest standards of international humanitarian law. According to the IOM's Missing Migrants Project, more than 32,000 people have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean since 2014. Many more remain unaccounted for. 'Behind every lost life is a story: shattered dreams, grieving families, and futures that will never be realised,' the statement read. The organisation offered its condolences to the victims' loved ones. The IOM renewed its call for collective action to address the root causes of irregular migration and to protect the lives of those on the move. Libya continues to serve as a major departure point for migrants attempting the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean towards Europe. The tragedy highlights the growing urgency to manage migration through legal and protected channels, particularly as conflict, poverty, and instability drive people to risk their lives in search of safety and opportunity. Tags: EgyptIOMlibyaMediterraneanmigrants
Ya Biladi
23-05-2025
- Ya Biladi
Morocco at the heart of rising migrant deaths on irregular routes in 2024, report finds
DR A report released Wednesday by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reveals that irregular migration across and within the Middle East and North Africa continues to take a devastating toll in 2024. Thousands of people have embarked on perilous journeys seeking safety, protection, and hope for a better future. According to data from IOM's Missing Migrants Project, at least 3,488 deaths and disappearances were recorded in the region this year. The report notes that this figure likely underestimates the true scale, as many deaths remain unreported. Of the 3,488 individuals documented as having died or disappeared along migration routes within or originating from the region, around 60% remain unidentified. Drowning remains the leading cause of death, while fatalities due to exposure, accidents, and violence have increased along several land and sea routes. The Mediterranean Route The Central Mediterranean route continues to be the deadliest sea passage in the region, with over 1,700 deaths and disappearances recorded in 2024. Tunisia and Libya remain major departure points for migrants attempting the dangerous crossing to Europe. At least 581 deaths and disappearances were recorded in 2024 across Algeria (288), Morocco (198), and Spain (95), marking this route as one of the most active and hazardous in the Middle East and North Africa. In Morocco, some deaths occurred during attempts to reach Almería, while many bodies were found near Ceuta, off the coasts of Nador, Fnideq, and Boukané. Numerous drownings involved individuals trying to swim across maritime borders, especially around Tarajal and Chorrillo. Kenitra emerged as a hotspot with 75 deaths or disappearances reported, highlighting increased activity in less-monitored coastal areas. The report also noted ongoing fatalities near Tangier and the Driouch region, where several boats attempting to reach southern Spain, Ceuta, or Melilla met tragic ends. The Atlantic Route The Atlantic maritime route from West Africa to the Canary Islands recorded the highest death toll since data collection began, with 1,095 deaths and disappearances—including 138 off the Moroccan coast. This surge reflects a worrying trend toward longer, more dangerous sea journeys to the Canary Islands, driven by limited safe alternatives. This route connects West African coastal countries—particularly Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco—with the Spanish Canary Islands, creating a highly perilous maritime corridor to Europe. Often seen as an alternative by migrants and smugglers alike, the journey is significantly longer and riskier, with boats frequently losing contact or capsizing far from shore. Key departure points include northern Senegal, southern Morocco, and Mauritania, while the Canary Islands serve as the main European entry point. In 2024, 46,843 migrants arrived via this route, up from 39,910 in 2023, demonstrating continued reliance on this high-risk passage. The majority of arrivals were from Mali (16,773), Senegal (12,877), Guinea (4,176), Morocco (3,939), and Mauritania (3,100). The report calls on countries to enhance forensic capacities for body recovery, identification, and dignified handling. It urges the establishment of regional standards and protocols for identifying remains, repatriation, and family notification, especially along high-mortality routes such as those in Libya, Egypt, and Morocco.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
French officials hand life jackets to migrants crossing Channel
The French authorities are providing life jackets to small boat migrants to ensure they can cross the Channel safely, experts have revealed. Officials have been handing out the life-saving devices because people smugglers do not, according to maritime experts. The jackets are then returned to the French once the migrants have been escorted to the mid-point of the Channel and are rescued by the British authorities, so that they can be re-used for future crossings. It comes as a record number of migrants have crossed the Channel in the first three months of year. So far some 7,228 have reached the UK in 131 small boats, up 31 per cent on the 5,517 who arrived at the same point last year. UK officials say the growing success of pan-European efforts to disrupt the supply chains of the people smugglers for boats, engines and equipment means they are cramming more migrants into lower-quality dinghies. At least 82 people including 14 children died trying to cross the Channel in 2024, a record high, according to the International Organisation for Migration's Missing Migrants Project. In January a Syrian migrant was 'crushed to death' in a leaking dinghy, according to French authorities. A spokesman for France's North Sea maritime prefecture said: 'Depending on the assessment of the situation on small boats, French maritime authorities can distribute life jackets. It is not systematic and depends on the assessment of the risks and benefits of the situation and the cooperation of the people being assisted. 'It is often in emergency situations, either due to the conditions of the vessel or weather conditions. It can be when some people wish to be rescued and others wish to continue in difficult conditions. 'British and French authorities work in an intelligent fashion to recover and recycle life jackets. There can be exchanges between boats or periodic handovers.' Fisherman Matt Coker, owner of Coker Seafishing, told Times Radio that he suspected it was due to the people smugglers failing to provide life jackets. 'The French, they're giving them life jackets now because so many of them are not getting in the boats with life jackets. I suppose... they're trying to avoid another tragedy,' he said. Mr Coker said he had witnessed more migrants crossing in the past six months. 'It seems to have gone back to what it was two or three years ago, which is, I mean, there seems to be lots of boats all at the same time coming on every possible day,' he said. 'Whereas before that, it did seem to… slow up to just a few boats a day and it was only when the weather was perfect. Now they seem to be leaving the beaches, I suppose, you know, more often.' He said the French were giving migrants safe passage to the UK. 'The French are actually escorting them through the shipping lane to give them a safe passage. And they're only making half the journey now. So... I suppose it is safer, but it almost seems to me like it might be encouraging the problem as well,' he said. 'It's safer for you to cross the Channel now than it's ever been because you'll have an escort from when you leave the beach and you'll be given safe passage and you'll only have to make half the journey because the UK Border Force will be waiting on the border to pick you up, rather than waiting well within UK waters.' More than 6,000 migrants have crossed the Channel to Britain so far in 2025. The rate of migrant Channel crossings under Sir Keir Starmer had been higher than under any of his Conservative predecessors. But just five people have been convicted of piloting small boats to Britain this year. At least 119 dinghies have arrived in Britain from France in the past three months, with the numbers increasing amid warmer weather and calmer seas. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
10-04-2025
- General
- Telegraph
French officials hand life jackets to migrants crossing Channel
The French authorities are providing life jackets to small boat migrants to ensure they can cross the Channel safely, experts have revealed. Officials have been handing out the life-saving devices because people smugglers do not, according to maritime experts. The jackets are then returned to the French once the migrants have been escorted to the mid-point of the Channel and are rescued by the British authorities, so that they can be re-used for future crossings. It comes as a record number of migrants have crossed the Channel in the first three months of year. So far some 7,228 have reached the UK in 131 small boats, up 31 per cent on the 5,517 who arrived at the same point last year. UK officials say the growing success of pan-European efforts to disrupt the supply chains of the people smugglers for boats, engines and equipment means they are cramming more migrants into lower-quality dinghies. At least 82 people including 14 children died trying to cross the Channel in 2024, a record high, according to the International Organisation for Migration's Missing Migrants Project. In January a Syrian migrant was 'crushed to death' in a leaking dinghy, according to French authorities. A spokesman for France's North Sea maritime prefecture said: 'Depending on the assessment of the situation on small boats, French maritime authorities can distribute life jackets. It is not systematic and depends on the assessment of the risks and benefits of the situation and the cooperation of the people being assisted. 'It is often in emergency situations, either due to the conditions of the vessel or weather conditions. It can be when some people wish to be rescued and others wish to continue in difficult conditions. 'British and French authorities work in an intelligent fashion to recover and recycle life jackets. There can be exchanges between boats or periodic handovers.' Fisherman Matt Coker, owner of Coker Seafishing, told Times Radio that he suspected it was due to the people smugglers failing to provide life jackets. 'The French, they're giving them life jackets now because so many of them are not getting in the boats with life jackets. I suppose... they're trying to avoid another tragedy,' he said. Mr Coker said he had witnessed more migrants crossing in the past six months. 'It seems to have gone back to what it was two or three years ago, which is, I mean, there seems to be lots of boats all at the same time coming on every possible day,' he said. 'Whereas before that, it did seem to… slow up to just a few boats a day and it was only when the weather was perfect. Now they seem to be leaving the beaches, I suppose, you know, more often.' He said the French were giving migrants safe passage to the UK. 'The French are actually escorting them through the shipping lane to give them a safe passage. And they're only making half the journey now. So... I suppose it is safer, but it almost seems to me like it might be encouraging the problem as well,' he said. ' It's safer for you to cross the Channel now than it's ever been because you'll have an escort from when you leave the beach and you'll be given safe passage and you'll only have to make half the journey because the UK Border Force will be waiting on the border to pick you up, rather than waiting well within UK waters.' More than 6,000 migrants have crossed the Channel to Britain so far in 2025. The rate of migrant Channel crossings under Sir Keir Starmer had been higher than under any of his Conservative predecessors. But just five people have been convicted of piloting small boats to Britain this year. At least 119 dinghies have arrived in Britain from France in the past three months, with the numbers increasing amid warmer weather and calmer seas.
