Nearly 1,000 migrants have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in the first months of 2026, marking one of the deadliest starts to a year in over a decade, according to new figures from the International Organization for Migration.
The data underscores a worsening humanitarian situation along key migration routes, including those leading to southern Europe and Greece, despite a decline in the total number of arrivals.
Rising death toll despite fewer crossings
At least 990 deaths have been recorded across the Mediterranean so far this year, making the first quarter of 2026 the deadliest since 2014. The central Mediterranean route alone accounts for around 765 fatalities—an increase of more than 150% compared to the same period last year.
The surge in deaths comes even as overall arrivals in Italy have dropped to approximately 6,200 so far this year, down from 9,400 during the same period in 2025. The figures point to increasingly dangerous journeys rather than higher migration volumes.
Recent shipwrecks highlight dangers
A series of recent maritime disasters illustrates the risks faced by migrants attempting the crossing.
On April 5, more than 80 people were reported dead or missing after a boat carrying around 120 migrants capsized in the central Mediterranean following departure from Libya. Only 32 survivors were rescued and later transported to Lampedusa.
Just days earlier, on April 1, at least 19 people were found dead near southern Italy after their vessel drifted for days without fuel or supplies. Survivors reported that many passengers likely died from hypothermia before rescue teams arrived.
The same day, another tragedy unfolded in the Aegean Sea, where at least 19 people lost their lives near the Turkish coast while attempting to reach Greece.
Additional incidents in late March included shipwrecks near Crete and off the coast of Tunisia, leaving dozens dead or missing.
Calls for urgent action
The IOM has warned that search and rescue capabilities in the region remain insufficient, stressing the urgent need for stronger coordination to save lives at sea.
Officials also called for expanded safe and legal migration pathways to reduce reliance on dangerous routes and limit the influence of human smuggling networks.
“These tragedies show once again that too many people are risking their lives on perilous journeys,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope, emphasizing that saving lives must remain the top priority.
