UN reports over 63,000 migrant deaths in the past decade, marking 2023 as deadliest year

The International Organization for Migration highlights the urgent need for enhanced search and rescue operations and safe migration pathways.

More than 63,000 migrants have died or gone missing on global migration routes since 2014, with drowning as the leading cause of death.
2023 was the deadliest year recorded, with over 8,500 deaths, nearly 60% of which were due to drowning.
The Mediterranean Sea remains the most lethal route, with over 27,000 deaths, while 'invisible shipwrecks' and unreported deaths in the Sahara Desert exacerbate the crisis.
Despite efforts, the majority of victims remain unidentified, posing a crisis of 'ambiguous loss' for families.
The rise of anti-immigration sentiment and policies in Europe has led to reduced search and rescue missions, increasing the dangers for migrants.