More Than 600 People Have Died Trying to Cross Mediterranean in 2026, UN Says

At least 606 people have been reported dead or missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea so far in 2026, marking the deadliest start to a year since the United Nations began systematically recording migrant deaths in 2014, the International Organization for Migration has said.
The figures, released in a statement on 23 February 2026, paint a grim picture of the risks faced by people fleeing conflict, poverty, and instability in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia in hopes of reaching Europe. Many set off from North African ports—particularly in Libya and Tunisia—on flimsy, overcrowded boats operated by human smugglers who exploit desperate migrants seeking a better life.
Deadliest Start to a Year in Over a Decade
The IOM’s data indicates that the 2026 toll already surpasses the same period in previous years, making the first weeks of 2026 the most lethal for Mediterranean migration since tracking began more than a decade ago. The figure includes at least 30 people feared dead or missing after a vessel capsized in severe weather off the coast of Crete late last weekend. Authorities rescued 20 people, including four minors, and recovered the bodies of four adults, according to reports.
The ill-fated vessel set sail from Tobruk on 19 February, but overturned roughly 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of Kali Limenes, a small port on the Greek island. Rescuers—including commercial ships diverted to assist—joined Greek patrol boats in the search for survivors.
Storms, Smugglers and Dangerous Routes
The tragedy comes amid harsh weather conditions, which have repeatedly made crossings more perilous. Severe winter storms in the Mediterranean have contributed to multiple vessel capsizes this year, in some cases drowning hundreds of people in single incidents. The IOM and other aid organizations stress that smugglers continue to send unseaworthy boats into dangerous waters, often with insufficient safety equipment.
The Mediter ean—especially the central route between North Africa and southern Europe—is one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors. Last year alone, more than 1,000 migrants died or went missing on the central route, according to the IOM.
Despite the risks, departures remain steady. Mixes of conflict, economic hardship, climate change impacts, and limited legal avenues for migration have pushed many to seek asylum or a new life in Europe. Smugglers exploit this desperation, charging high fees for passage on overcrowded and unstable boats. The result has been repeated loss of life on the open sea.
Response from International Agencies
The IOM has urgently called for increased search and rescue efforts, stronger regional cooperation, and the expansion of safe and legal migration pathways to reduce the need for perilous crossings. The agency spokeswoman emphasized that preventing loss of life requires investment in coordinated maritime rescue operations and policies that diminish the power of criminal smuggling networks.
Human rights NGOs have echoed these calls, stressing that saving lives at sea must be prioritized over punitive border control measures. They argue that without alternative avenues for refugees and asylum seekers, people will continue to risk their lives on the Mediterranean despite repeated tragedies.
Impact on European and African Partners
European governments have struggled to balance humanitarian obligations with political pressure to tighten border controls. Recent EU discussions on asylum reform reflect divisions between member states on how to handle irregular migration while ensuring safety at sea. Meanwhile, countries like Italy and Greece, which often face the most arrivals, have increased coastal patrols and engaged with Libyan and Tunisian authorities to curb departures.
North African states, however, warn that simply halting departures without addressing underlying causes will only shift routes and push migrants into even more dangerous journeys farther west or through the perilous Atlantic crossing to Spain’s Canary Islands
A Humanitarian Crisis Continues
The tragic surge in deaths highlights that the Mediterranean migration crisis is far from over. As the death toll rises, international organizations, governments, and civil society groups face renewed pressure to act. Without safe alternatives and robust rescue operations, the Mediterranean is likely to continue claiming lives of those seeking refuge and opportunity in Europe.