GENEVA: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Wednesday that 2023 marked the deadliest year for migrants in a decade, with at least 8,565 people dying on migration routes worldwide.
This grim statistic represents a tragic 20 percent increase compared to the previous year, highlighting the urgent need for immediate action to prevent further loss of life, according to the IOM statement.
Last year’s death toll surpassed the previous record set in 2016, when 8,084 migrant deaths were recorded. The IOM emphasized that the limited availability of safe and regular migration pathways has led hundreds of thousands of people to attempt migration via irregular routes, often under perilous conditions.
The Mediterranean Ocean crossing remains the most treacherous route for migrants, with 3,129 deaths and disappearances recorded in 2023. Drowning accounted for slightly more than half of the total migrant deaths, followed by vehicle accidents at nine percent, and violence at seven percent.
Established in 2014, the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project serves as an open-access database documenting migrant deaths and disappearances. To date, it has recorded over 63,000 cases worldwide, although the true figure is believed to be significantly higher due to challenges in data collection, particularly in remote areas.
Ugochi Daniels, the deputy director-general of the IOM, reflected on the significance of the project’s 10-year milestone, emphasizing the profound impact of each life lost on families and communities. Daniels underscored the urgent need for greater action to ensure safe migration for all, pledging to prevent future tragedies where individuals are forced to risk their lives in search of a better future.
