Tracks deaths of migrants, including refugees

Missing Migrants Project tracks incidents involving migrants, including refugees and asylum-seekers, who have died or gone missing in the process of migration towards an international destination.

Read more about our methodology
Reported Date
April 2014 105
April 2015 1,595
April 2016 745
April 2017 382
April 2018 339
April 2019 387
April 2020 175
April 2021 440
August 2014 717
August 2015 863
August 2016 245
August 2017 423
August 2018 319
August 2019 422
August 2020 343
December 2014 126
December 2015 570
December 2016 653
December 2017 269
December 2018 244
December 2019 501
December 2020 267
February 2014 58
February 2015 413
February 2016 496
February 2017 407
February 2018 393
February 2019 264
February 2020 286
February 2021 250
January 2014 27
January 2015 215
January 2016 596
January 2017 562
January 2018 511
January 2019 508
January 2020 306
January 2021 223
July 2014 906
July 2015 298
July 2016 431
July 2017 387
July 2018 442
July 2019 585
July 2020 291
July 2021 276
June 2014 411
June 2015 122
June 2016 626
June 2017 834
June 2018 921
June 2019 370
June 2020 297
June 2021 328
March 2014 328
March 2015 190
March 2016 575
March 2017 453
March 2018 274
March 2019 380
March 2020 251
March 2021 287
May 2014 460
May 2015 447
May 2016 1,381
May 2017 824
May 2018 239
May 2019 398
May 2020 111
May 2021 254
November 2014 97
November 2015 245
November 2016 940
November 2017 501
November 2018 313
November 2019 696
November 2020 414
October 2014 211
October 2015 705
October 2016 706
October 2017 549
October 2018 452
October 2019 370
October 2020 612
September 2014 839
September 2015 454
September 2016 502
September 2017 606
September 2018 451
September 2019 329
September 2020 428
Note: Some data on migrant fatalities cover a period of several weeks or months. These cumulative data are not included in monthly totals.
Data represent minimum estimates.
Reported Date Region Group Region of Incident Number Dead Minimum Estimated Number of Missing
2014 Africa Horn of Africa 182 83
2014 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 268 0
2014 Africa North Africa 28 62
2014 Americas Caribbean 31 42
2014 Americas Central America 116
2014 Americas US-Mexico Border 306 0
2014 Asia East Asia 9
2014 Asia South Asia 2 0
2014 Asia Southeast Asia 44 798
2014 Europe Europe 22 0
2014 Middle East Middle East 30 11
2014 Mediterranean Mediterranean 725 2595
2015 Africa Horn of Africa 102 33
2015 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 54 20
2015 Africa North Africa 763 62
2015 Americas Caribbean 33 35
2015 Americas Central America 110 0
2015 Americas South America 2
2015 Americas US-Mexico Border 336 3
2015 Asia East Asia 0 15
2015 Asia South Asia 22
2015 Asia Southeast Asia 315 592
2015 Europe Europe 143
2015 Middle East Middle East 14
2015 Mediterranean Mediterranean 2175 1879
2016 Africa Horn of Africa 179 56
2016 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 90 2
2016 Africa North Africa 1353 151
2016 Americas Caribbean 22 93
2016 Americas Central America 180
2016 Americas South America 27 6
2016 Americas US-Mexico Border 397 4
2016 Asia East Asia 1 2
2016 Asia South Asia 14
2016 Asia Southeast Asia 151 38
2016 Europe Europe 65
2016 Middle East Middle East 100
2016 Mediterranean Mediterranean 1484 3659
2017 Africa Horn of Africa 161 12
2017 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 480 74
2017 Africa North Africa 1013
2017 Americas Caribbean 44 126
2017 Americas Central America 90 3
2017 Americas US-Mexico Border 408 9
2017 Americas North America 1
2017 Asia East Asia 1
2017 Asia South Asia 221
2017 Asia Southeast Asia 205 104
2017 Europe Europe 84 14
2017 Middle East Middle East 98
2017 Mediterranean Mediterranean 936 2203
2018 Africa Horn of Africa 260 18
2018 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 581 15
2018 Africa North Africa 707 27
2018 Americas Caribbean 14 27
2018 Americas Central America 74 3
2018 Americas South America 27 3
2018 Americas US-Mexico Border 441 3
2018 Asia East Asia 3
2018 Asia South Asia 27
2018 Asia Southeast Asia 91 18
2018 Asia Central Asia 52
2018 Europe Europe 109 7
2018 Middle East Middle East 140 5
2018 Mediterranean Mediterranean 722 1577
2019 Africa Horn of Africa 119 33
2019 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 970 11
2019 Africa North Africa 675 106
2019 Americas Caribbean 65 95
2019 Americas Central America 128 1
2019 Americas South America 34 5
2019 Americas US-Mexico Border 521 9
2019 Americas North America 1
2019 Asia East Asia 5
2019 Asia South Asia 133
2019 Asia Southeast Asia 241 5
2019 Europe Europe 134 14
2019 Middle East Middle East 174
2019 Mediterranean Mediterranean 448 1437
2020 Africa Horn of Africa 43 13
2020 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 259 235
2020 Africa North Africa 198 440
2020 Americas Caribbean 48 124
2020 Americas Central America 44 1
2020 Americas South America 65 17
2020 Americas US-Mexico Border 476 7
2020 Asia East Asia 1 1
2020 Asia South Asia 45
2020 Asia Southeast Asia 168 83
2020 Europe Europe 81 6
2020 Middle East Middle East 102 11
2020 Mediterranean Mediterranean 565 861
2021 Africa Horn of Africa 59 45
2021 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 7 6
2021 Africa North Africa 149 193
2021 Americas Caribbean 15 54
2021 Americas Central America 48
2021 Americas South America 58 9
2021 Americas US-Mexico Border 136
2021 Americas North America 12 10
2021 Asia South Asia 14 1
2021 Asia Southeast Asia 1
2021 Europe Europe 24 4
2021 Middle East Middle East 64 1
2021 Mediterranean Mediterranean 454 719
Reported Date Region Region of Origin Number Dead Minimum Estimated Number of Missing
2017 Middle East Middle East 115 0
2015 Africa Horn of Africa 662 33
2018 Africa North Africa 111 103
2020 Americas Caribbean 35 112
2021 Americas Central America 102 0
2014 Asia South Asia 35 15
2018 Americas Latin America / Caribbean (P) 147 6
2019 Asia Southeast Asia 72 5
2021 Americas Caribbean 24 48
2014 Africa Horn of Africa 196 363
2016 Asia Southeast Asia 151 38
2019 Mixed/Unknown Mixed 239 793
2020 Asia East Asia 1 1
2017 Africa North Africa 92 14
2016 Mixed/Unknown Unknown 502 140
2019 Mixed/Unknown Unknown 389 478
2020 Middle East Middle East / South Asia (P) 16 1
2017 Americas Central America 147 4
2015 Americas Caribbean 32 35
2018 Africa Horn of Africa 61 0
2020 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa (P) 443 499
2021 Africa Horn of Africa 51 25
2015 Middle East Middle East 270 124
2018 Africa Horn of Africa (P) 584 18
2019 Asia Southeast Asia (P) 162 0
2021 Middle East Middle East 20 1
2014 Mixed/Unknown Mixed 17 738
2016 Africa North Africa 54 31
2019 Americas Caribbean 75 13
2021 LAC(P) 68 0
2014 Americas Central America 130 0
2016 Asia South Asia 51 30
2019 Middle East Middle East 38 15
2020 Africa Horn of Africa (P) 9 0
2017 Mixed/Unknown Mixed 71 712
2015 Americas Central America 117 2
2018 Middle East Middle East / South Asia 20 0
2020 Middle East Middle East 57 7
2021 Asia South Asia (P) 3 0
2017 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 461 637
2015 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 201 992
2018 Americas Central America 201 0
2020 Mixed/Unknown Unknown 71 164
2021 Asia Southeast Asia 15 1
2014 Asia Southeast Asia 39 794
2018 Mixed/Unknown Unknown 954 989
2019 Middle East Middle East / South Asia 6 0
2021 Americas South America 62 19
2014 Americas Latin America / Caribbean (P) 289 0
2016 Africa Horn of Africa 1312 81
2019 Middle East Middle East / South Asia (P) 104 7
2020 Europe Europe 2 0
2017 Americas South America 8 1
2016 Americas Central America 230 3
2019 Americas Central America 257 7
2020 Middle East Middle East / South Asia 68 5
2017 Africa Horn of Africa 320 12
2015 Asia Southeast Asia 315 592
2018 Mixed/Unknown Mixed 172 276
2020 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 135 174
2021 Asia Southeast Asia (P) 8 57
2015 Mixed/Unknown Unknown 656 130
2018 Americas South America 30 16
2019 Asia South Asia (P) 62 0
2019 LAC(P) 10 0
2014 Africa North Africa 4 0
2016 Americas South America 4 19
2017 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa (P) 2 0
2021 Africa North Africa 80 96
2014 Asia East Asia 5 9
2016 Americas Latin America / Caribbean (P) 308 1
2019 Africa North Africa 122 155
2020 North Africa (P) 42 51
2017 Middle East Middle East / South Asia (P) 77 0
2015 Mixed/Unknown Mixed 969 606
2018 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa (P) 397 2
2020 Americas South America 100 30
2021 Middle East Middle East / South Asia (P) 11 0
2017 Americas Caribbean 43 126
2015 Africa North Africa 47 1
2018 Asia Central Asia 52 0
2020 Asia Southeast Asia 168 83
2021 Mixed/Unknown Mixed 75 155
2014 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 596 820
2018 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 196 208
2019 Asia East Asia 9 0
2021 North Africa (P) 15 14
2014 Middle East Middle East 80 257
2016 Mixed/Unknown Mixed 729 2597
2019 Europe Europe 1 0
2020 LAC(P) 101 0
2014 Americas Caribbean 33 42
2016 Middle East Middle East / South Asia (P) 241 54
2019 Americas South America 31 82
2020 Africa Horn of Africa 115 20
2017 Mixed/Unknown Unknown 1559 931
2015 Americas Latin America / Caribbean (P) 313 1
2018 Middle East Middle East / South Asia (P) 70 30
2020 Americas Central America 202 1
2021 Americas Latin America / Caribbean (P) 1 0
2015 Asia South Asia 85 7
2018 Asia South Asia 44 5
2020 Africa North Africa 138 292
2021 Mixed/Unknown Unknown 65 5
2014 Americas South America 1 0
2017 Africa Horn of Africa (P) 146 0
2019 Asia South Asia 96 5
2021 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa (P) 350 433
2014 Europe Europe 1 0
2016 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 285 936
2019 Americas Latin America / Caribbean (P) 329 2
2020 Asia South Asia (P) 20 0
2017 Asia Southeast Asia 204 104
2015 Americas South America 14 0
2019 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 143 50
2020 Americas Latin America / Caribbean (P) 183 6
2021 Middle East Middle East / South Asia 8
2017 Americas Latin America / Caribbean (P) 317 4
2015 Middle East Middle East / South Asia (P) 388 101
2018 Middle East Middle East 137 18
2020 Asia South Asia 83 11
2021 Africa Horn of Africa (P) 6 15
2014 Africa Horn of Africa (P) 1 0
2018 Americas Caribbean 14 14
2019 Africa Horn of Africa (P) 140 0
2021 Asia South Asia 25 1
2014 Middle East Middle East / South Asia 1 0
2016 Americas Caribbean 44 59
2019 Africa Horn of Africa 134 46
2021 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 59 164
2014 Mixed/Unknown Unknown 326 562
2016 Middle East Middle East 152 22
2019 Africa Sub-Saharan Africa (P) 1220 58
2019 North Africa (P) 7 0
2017 Asia South Asia 180 0
2015 Asia East Asia (P) 0 15
2018 Asia Southeast Asia 58 18
2020 Mixed/Unknown Mixed 103 342
2021 Asia Central Asia 1 0
Note: (P) indicates that the region of origin is presumed.
Data represent minimum estimates.

Top causes of death recorded in 2021

Africa

Drowning
Deaths: 88
Unknown (presumed dehydration
Deaths: 115
hypothermia)
Deaths: 97
Vehicle accident
Deaths: 25
Dehydration
Deaths: 25

Americas

Drowning
Deaths: 73
Presumed drowning
Deaths: 76
Vehicle Accident
Deaths: 25
Shot
Deaths: 21
Shot and killed
Deaths: 19

Asia

Unknown (presumed dehydration/starvation)
Deaths: 9
Presumed drowning
Deaths: 6
Starvation
Deaths: 1
Exhaustion
Deaths: 1

Europe

Presumed drowning
Deaths: 10
Vehicle Accident
Deaths: 5
Drowning
Deaths: 2
Unknown
Deaths: 2
Hit by vehicle
Deaths: 2

Mediterranean

Presumed drowning
Deaths: 947
Drowning
Deaths: 208
Unknown (presumed dehydration
Deaths: 5
hypothermia)
Deaths: 5
Exhaustion
Deaths: 3

Middle East

Drowning
Deaths: 36
Vehicle accident
Deaths: 11
Hypothermia
Deaths: 6
Shot
Deaths: 4
Presumed drowning
Deaths: 5
Note: Data represent minimum estimates.

Regions in focus

Spotlight on the Mediterranean
Europe
Spotlight on the Middle East
Africa
Asia
Americas

Publications

Routes de la migration irrégulières vers l’Europe — Route Atlantique (Janvier- Juin 2021)
Irregular Migration Routes to Europe — Western African Atlantic Route (January — June 2021)
Migrant deaths on maritime routes to Europe: Jan-Jun 2021
Middle East & North Africa Regional Overview - Q1 2021

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Missing Migrants Project by International Organization for Migration (IOM) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This means that Missing Migrants Project data and website content is free to share and adapt, as long as the appropriate attribution is given.

 

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IOM's Missing Migrants Project is made possible by funding by the Government of Germany, UK Aid from the Government of the United Kingdom and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the Governments of Germany, the United Kingdom or Switzerland.