On this assessment, nearly 2,000 migrants were declared dead or missing on the routes of the central and western Mediterranean. The others perished on the sea route from Northwest Africa to the Canary Islands.
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Human drama. More than 3,000 migrants died last year at sea while trying to reach Europe, double the toll recorded in 2020, the UN announced on Friday April 29. “Of this total, 1,924 people were reported dead or missing on the Central and Western Mediterranean routes, while another 1,153 died or went missing on the sea route from North-West Africa to the Canary Islands”said a spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
In 2020, 1,544 deaths had been reported for the two routes. “Alarmingly, since the beginning of the year, 478 additional people have died or gone missing at sea”noted the spokesperson. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting border closures have had an impact on migration flows. Many refugees and migrants have therefore turned to smugglers to try to reach Europe despite everything.
Most sea crossings are in overcrowded inflatable boats in poor condition, according to the UNHCR. Many of these boats deflate or capsize, resulting in the death of the occupants. “The sea journey from West African coastal states, such as Senegal and Mauritania, and the Canary Islands is long and perilous and can take up to 10 days”underlined the spokesperson of the UNHCR. “Many boats have strayed off course or disappeared without a trace in these waters.”