Missing Migrants Project is an initiative implemented since 2014 by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to document deaths and disappearances of people in the process of migration towards an international destination. As collecting information is challenging, all figures remain undercounted. The locations in most cases are approximate. Each number represents a person, as well as the family and community that they leave behind.
The Missing Migrants Project dataset represents incidents in which a person lost their life during migration to an international destination. The figures shown throughout are best understood as a minimum estimate of the true number of people’s lives lost during migration worldwide.
For every person included in the Missing Migrants Project data, there is a family awaiting news of their loved one and affected by their loss in a multitude of ways. The impacts of migrant deaths and disappearances on their families left behind are profound and complex, and solutions are urgently needed to address families’ many unmet needs.
3 nautical miles from the coast of Al-Ataya on the island of Kerkennah, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0003
Western Mediterranean
35.10232464, -1.870627037
Unspecifed location in Tlemcen, Algeria
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0003
Western Mediterranean
35.10232464, -1.870627037
Unspecifed location off Tlemcen, Algeria
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0004
Western Mediterranean
35.905348, -5.286363
Near Santa Catalina cemetery, Ceuta, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0005
Western Mediterranean
37.4548949, 2.085744377
Unspecified location in the Mediterranean - departure from Tipaza, Algeria on 29 or 31 dec
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0006
Western Mediterranean
35.888957, -5.293273
Off the coast of Sarchal Beach, near Ceuta, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0007
Western Mediterranean
38.740007, 1.42941
Remains found near the beach of Es Cavall d'en Borràs, Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0015
Central Mediterranean
31.21220785, 16.53750655
Remains found at Sirte, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0016
Central Mediterranean
32.09560468, 23.99641558
Remains found at Tobruk, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0017
Central Mediterranean
32.7966551, 12.57415548
Remains found at Surman, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0018
Western Mediterranean
38.7931795, 1.419326217
Remains found on the beach of Sa Torreta, S'Espalmador, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0020
Eastern Mediterranean
37.88203003, 27.16350985
Off the coast of Kuşadası, Aydın, Türkiye
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0021
Western Mediterranean
39.502728, 2.743222
200 meters off the coast of s'Arenal de Llucmajor, renal, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0022
Central Mediterranean
32.8699661, 13.10089389
Remains found in Qerqarish, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0032
Eastern Mediterranean
36.44740167, 28.26937906
East of Rhodes, Greece
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0034
Western Mediterranean
35.90677175, -5.288160401
Bodies recovered near Santa Catalina, Ceuta, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0035
Central Mediterranean
34.346, 12.483
Approximately 53 nautical miles south of Lampedusa, in Maltese SAR zone (see coordinates for exact location of rescue). Departed from Sabratha, Libya on 23 Jan 2025
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0036
Central Mediterranean
34.362, 12.534
Died after medical evacuation after rescue in Maltese SAR zone
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0041
Central Mediterranean
32.81264896, 12.45600611
Unspecified location near Sabratah, Zawiya, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0042
Central Mediterranean
33.59262794, 12.22533737
Unspecifed location near Marsa Della, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0048
Central Mediterranean
32.86596878, 12.73434705
Off Marsa Della, Libya - embarkation from Zawiyah on 25 Jan 03:00
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0049
Central Mediterranean
30.26697777, 19.18855849
Remains recovered at Al Uqaylah west of Brega, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0049
Central Mediterranean
30.26697777, 19.18855849
Remains recovered at Al Uqaylah west of Brega, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0049
Central Mediterranean
30.26697777, 19.18855849
Remains recovered at Al Uqaylah west of Brega, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0049
Central Mediterranean
30.26697777, 19.18855849
Remains recovered at Al Uqaylah west of Brega, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0050
Central Mediterranean
32.81576897, 12.74463245
Unspecified location off Marsa Della, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0054
Western Mediterranean
38.78080691, 1.428814395
Remains recovered at Playa S'Alga, S'Espalmador, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0057
Western Mediterranean
35.87985707, -5.334299876
Remains washed ashore at Playa de la Elmadraba, Ceuta, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0058
Central Mediterranean
35.51035997, 12.55818823
At the beach of Isola dei Conigli/Lampedusa, Italy - departure from Zawiya on 5 Feb
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0067
Western Mediterranean
35.901273, -5.279748
Near Laja de la Sirena, Monte Hacho, Ceuta, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0068
Western Mediterranean
38.780684, 1.428699
Platja de S'Alga, Formentera, Isla de Espalmador, Islas Baleares, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0071
Western Mediterranean
39.914519, 4.038914
On the beach of Santo Tomás, Es Migjorn, Menorca, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0074
Central Mediterranean
32.81046466, 12.459951
Unspecifed location in Sabratha, in the Zawiya District, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0075
Central Mediterranean
33.59262794, 12.225337
Unspecifed location near Marsa Della, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0082
Western Mediterranean
37.45288, -1.481456
Playa del Rafal, in the Cabo Cope and Puntas de Calnegre regional park, Aguilas, Murcia, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0083
Central Mediterranean
33.15512329, 12.471888
Unspecifed location near Marsa Della, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0088
Eastern Mediterranean
37.93866062, 27.17802337
Off the coast of Selçuk, İzmir, Türkiye
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0089
Central Mediterranean
35.49182937, 12.61177228
Remains recovered off the coast of Lampedusa, Italy
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0090
Eastern Mediterranean
39.0080827, 26.17013186
Agios Fokas, Lesvos, Greece
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0091
Western Mediterranean
38.84160346, 1.907360009
37 KM West Ibiza/Balearic Islands, Spain - departure from Aïn Taya, Algeria on 17 Feb
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0093
Western Mediterranean
37.18261996, -0.785772594
50 KM off Cartagena, Spain - departure from Mostaganem, Algeria
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0100
Western Mediterranean
35.87080992, -5.333348689
1 KM off Southern Ceuta, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0100
Western Mediterranean
35.87080992, -5.333348689
Undetermined location at the Tarajal border off Ceuta, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0100
Western Mediterranean
35.85877964, -5.342966249
Unspecified location on the sea crossing between Ceuta and Morocco
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0100
Western Mediterranean
35.85511009, -5.347870457
Remains washed at Fnideq, Morocco
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0101
Central Mediterranean
35.07084032, 13.02955244
43 miles off Lampedusa, Italy
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0105
Western Mediterranean
35.93609234, 0.069114087
Off the coast of Tennes, Mostaganem, Algeria
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0106
Western Mediterranean
36.82685051, 5.735223597
Unspecifed location near Jijel, Algeria
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0109
Central Mediterranean
34.38798763, 11.6357993
At Miskar Oil Platform, Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0110
Western Mediterranean
39.70573678, 3.45624056
Remains washed at Son Moll beach, Cala Ratjada, Capdepera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0111
Western Mediterranean
38.86333061, 1.389772176
Remains found at Parc Natural de ses Salines, Llevant beach, Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0117
Western Mediterranean
39.76038204, 2.641003861
Remains found washed up to Cala Deià, la Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0130
Eastern Mediterranean
34.529582, 34.26135
25 nautical miles off the coast of Cape Cavo Greco, Ayia Napa, Cyprus
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0131
Western Mediterranean
39.512551, 2.689546
One nautical mile from the Port of Can Pastilla, Palma, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0132
Western Mediterranean
35.91703, -5.37476
Off the coast of Benzu, Ceuta, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0133
Central Mediterranean
35.54876, 12.319675
Near the islet of Lampione, approximately 18 nautical miles from Lampedusa, Italy
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0134
Central Mediterranean
32.79292116, 12.7266292
Remain washed ashore near Espan Sea Port, Al-Zawiya, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0135
Central Mediterranean
32.79279859, 12.72669665
Remains washed ashore near Espan Sea Port, Al-Zawiya, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0136
Central Mediterranean
32.65300343, 18.133206
Unspecified location off the coast of Libya with disembarkation Al-Shaab Port, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0138
Central Mediterranean
35.09288, 11.913457
Multiple unspecified locations in the Mediterranean east of Sfax, Tunisia
Unknown location after departure from Oran, Algeria towards Balearic Islands
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0143
Western Mediterranean
35.895825, -5.334495
Remains recovered near Playa Juan XXIII, Ceuta, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0144
Western Mediterranean
36.536659, -4.621558
Remains recovered near La Caracola, Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0149
Western Mediterranean
36.1084093, -5.404323017
Remains recovered off Bahía Sur in the Strait of Gibralter, 19.3 kilometers off the coast of Ceuta, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0150
Eastern Mediterranean
37.269575, 27.11354
Off the southeastern coast of Farmakonisi, Leros, Greece
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0153
Central Mediterranean
32.79283918, 12.72663227
Remain washed ashore near Espan Sea Port, Al-Zawiya, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0154
Central Mediterranean
32.79262939, 12.7268978
Remain washed ashore near Espan area, Al-Zawiya, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0155
Central Mediterranean
33.50213511, 11.12120993
Unspecified location off the coasts of Zarsis, South of Tunisia - boat embarked from Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0156
Western Mediterranean
36.74171219, -2.121299896
Near Playa Cala de Enmedio near Cabo de Gata-Níjar, Alermia, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0161
Western Mediterranean
37.301593, -1.711950186
Died in hospital after arrival at Cala Mochuela, Almeria, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0162
Western Mediterranean
36.95318545, -1.898219848
Fell into sea as boat approached Los Muertos beach, Carboneras, Almeria, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0164
Eastern Mediterranean
39.3888503, 26.30285572
Unspecified location off the coast of Skala Sikamineas, Lesvos, Greece
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0165
Eastern Mediterranean
39.45656027, 26.44934081
Off Ayvacık, Çanakkale, Türkiye
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0167
Eastern Mediterranean
36.18176657, 29.21368033
Off Kaş, Antalya, Türkiye
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0168
Central Mediterranean
32.95697594, 12.06632757
Unspecified location near Zuwara, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0170
Central Mediterranean
32.91002772, 13.17546016
Unspecified location near Qaraboli, Tripoli, Libya - embarkation on 1 Apr
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0212
Central Mediterranean
31.76081811, 17.4336466
Off Harawah near Sirte, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0216
Eastern Mediterranean
37.27833941, 27.10138751
Found on southeastern coast of Farmakonisi, Greece after shipwreck
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0227
Central Mediterranean
34.62842335, 10.82986039
Off the coasts of El Awabed, Sfax, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0228
Central Mediterranean
38.19249779, 12.93920542
Remains found in the rocks of the coast of Capo San Marco, Agrigento, Italy
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0236
Central Mediterranean
34.71001747, 10.77497949
Unspecifed location off the coasts of Sfax, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0236
Central Mediterranean
37.2143208, 9.776175719
Remains washed ashore in the coasts of Louata Beach, Sfax, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0236
Central Mediterranean
37.2143208, 9.776175719
Remains washed ashore in the coasts of Louata Beach, Sfax, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0236
Central Mediterranean
37.2143208, 9.776175719
Remains washed ashore in the coasts of Louata Beach, Sfax, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0236
Central Mediterranean
37.2143208, 9.776175719
Remains washed ashore in the coasts of Louata Beach, Sfax, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0238
Western Mediterranean
35.83880639, -5.352506489
Remains washed ashore at Fnideq, Morocco - Ceuta crossing
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0239
Western Mediterranean
35.55247716, -5.242124589
Remains washed ashore at Azla beach, Tetouan, Morocco - presumably Ceuta crossing
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0240
Central Mediterranean
32.85724176, 13.44222392
Remains washed ashore at Tajoura, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0241
Central Mediterranean
32.80817644, 12.49600325
Remains washed ashore at Sabratha, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0250
Central Mediterranean
32.07525908, 23.96594561
Remains washed ashore at the Gulf of Ras Monqar, Ain Ghazala, West of Tobruk, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0252
Western Mediterranean
39.98870042, 4.255131467
Remains washed ashore at Cala Tortuga, Menora, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0253
Western Mediterranean
38.6909345, 0.927204475
42 miles off Xàbia, Alicante, Spain - departure from Algeria
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0255
Central Mediterranean
34.50253555, 12.23224608
Rescued at N 34°30.163, E 012°13.934 after departure from Zawiya, Libya on 7 May
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0257
Western Mediterranean
38.69945772, 1.969762185
Unspecified location off Ibiza, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0258
Central Mediterranean
32.64764829, 20.816002
Body washed ashore off the coasts of Al-Bahr Beach, Bo Traba, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0259
Central Mediterranean
33.86450901, 10.97218216
Bodies washed off the coasts of Djerba, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0260
Central Mediterranean
32.50329215, 14.60744043
Body washed ashore at Zliten (50km west of Misrata), Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0260
Central Mediterranean
32.43847812, 14.83372457
Bodies washed ashore at Dafniyah, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0260
Central Mediterranean
32.39057761, 15.17411791
Bodies washed ashore on various locations around Misrata, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0260
Central Mediterranean
32.39057761, 15.17411791
Bodies washed ashore on various locations around Misrata, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0260
Central Mediterranean
32.39057761, 15.17411791
Unspecified location off Misrata, Libya - departure on 26 April
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0261
Central Mediterranean
32.43220608, 14.93339804
Bodies washed ashore around Al-Buwairat, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0593
Central Mediterranean
32.7978105, 12.57155579
Body washed ashore at Surman, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0594
Central Mediterranean
30.59829842, 18.43011436
Body washed ashore at Ras Lanuf, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0600
Central Mediterranean
34.71758631, 10.77676102
Unspecified location off Sfax, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0610
Central Mediterranean
33.4312, 12.2918
Fell into water during rescue Libyan SAR zone and presumed drowned - see coordinates for location the merchant vessel was in when they reported losing sight of the boat in distress
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0619
Central Mediterranean
35.30824629, 11.09878208
Unspecified location near “KM110” between Mahdia and Chebba, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0620
Central Mediterranean
34.96657594, 10.93084362
Bodies washed ashore off the coasts of Al-Amra, Tunisia
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0672
Western Mediterranean
35.85553105, -5.346525324
Unspecified location off the coasts of Findeq, Morcco en route to Ceuta
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0674
Central Mediterranean
32.8794601, 21.56756131
Remains washed ashore at Shaq Abdul Razak area, between Al Haniyah and Al Hamama near Al Bayda, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0677
Western Mediterranean
38.75101771, 1.438237114
Remains washed ashore at Llevant beach, Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0677
Western Mediterranean
38.68398485, 1.462189277
Remains washed ashore at Migjorn beach, Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0678
Western Mediterranean
36.82525526, -2.03516596
Off Cabo de Gata-Nijar nature preserve, Almeria, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0679
Central Mediterranean
32.78201443, 12.45473737
Remains washed ashore at Sabratha, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0680
Central Mediterranean
33.0011131, 12.73763531
Unspecified location - disembarkation at Marsa Dela, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0682
Central Mediterranean
32.816845, 12.388946
Unspecified location on the beach in Sabratha, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0683
Central Mediterranean
32.908627, 13.265141
Unspecified location in the Souq al-Jumaa/Maitika area, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0693
Western Mediterranean
36.936627, 3.455343
Unspecified location off the coast of Bourmerdes, Algeria
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0694
Central Mediterranean
32.958939, 12.486332
Unspecified location off the coast of Sabratha, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0695
Central Mediterranean
32.956751, 13.161104
Unspecified location off the coast of Tripoli, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0696
Central Mediterranean
32.203272, 24.057723
Unspecified location off the coast of Tobruk, Libya
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0698
Central Mediterranean
31.567388, 25.671492
Washed ashore on Marsa Matrouh beach, Aziziya area, west of Barani, Egypt
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0705
Eastern Mediterranean
38.794833, 1.483117
Unspecified location, near Espardell Island, Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0706
Eastern Mediterranean
38.685056, 1.451552
Unspecified location, Sant Francesc Beach, Formetera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0707
Eastern Mediterranean
38.831925, 1.301199
In the Balearic Sea, two miles off the coast from Cala Jondal, Sany Josep, Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0708
Eastern Mediterranean
38.980434, 1.542479
Balearic Sea, off the coast of Santa Eulària, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0709
Eastern Mediterranean
38.834086, 1.42594
In the Balearic Sea, the canal between Ibiza and Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0710
Eastern Mediterranean
38.36361, 1.330503
In the Mediterranean, 16 miles southwest of Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0711
Eastern Mediterranean
38.68695, 1.185306
In the Mediterranean, 6 miles west of Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0712
Eastern Mediterranean
38.985498, 1.208599
Unspecified location on the island of Conejera, Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0713
Eastern Mediterranean
38.528784, 1.429981
Unspecified location off the coast of Formentera, Baleric Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0714
Eastern Mediterranean
38.721559, 1.472286
Pituisan Sea, near Punta Prima, Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Mediterranean
2025.MMP0715
Eastern Mediterranean
35.907748, -5.28862
Off the coast of the Santa Catalina area, Ceuta, Spain
Mediterranean
Title
Total Number of Dead and Missing
2025.MMP0002
28
2025.MMP0003
4
2025.MMP0004
1
2025.MMP0005
18
2025.MMP0006
1
2025.MMP0007
2
2025.MMP0015
1
2025.MMP0016
1
2025.MMP0017
1
2025.MMP0018
1
2025.MMP0020
7
2025.MMP0021
1
2025.MMP0022
1
2025.MMP0032
2
2025.MMP0034
2
2025.MMP0035
4
2025.MMP0036
1
2025.MMP0041
1
2025.MMP0042
1
2025.MMP0048
8
2025.MMP0049
56
2025.MMP0050
2
2025.MMP0054
1
2025.MMP0057
1
2025.MMP0058
2
2025.MMP0067
1
2025.MMP0068
1
2025.MMP0071
1
2025.MMP0074
1
2025.MMP0075
26
2025.MMP0082
1
2025.MMP0083
2
2025.MMP0088
6
2025.MMP0089
1
2025.MMP0090
1
2025.MMP0091
5
2025.MMP0093
3
2025.MMP0100
4
2025.MMP0101
2
2025.MMP0105
19
2025.MMP0106
20
2025.MMP0109
1
2025.MMP0110
1
2025.MMP0111
1
2025.MMP0117
1
2025.MMP0130
21
2025.MMP0131
1
2025.MMP0132
1
2025.MMP0133
46
2025.MMP0134
1
2025.MMP0135
3
2025.MMP0136
1
2025.MMP0138
18
2025.MMP0140
1
2025.MMP0141
1
2025.MMP0142
22
2025.MMP0143
1
2025.MMP0144
1
2025.MMP0149
1
2025.MMP0150
1
2025.MMP0153
1
2025.MMP0154
1
2025.MMP0155
14
2025.MMP0156
1
2025.MMP0161
1
2025.MMP0162
1
2025.MMP0164
8
2025.MMP0165
10
2025.MMP0167
1
2025.MMP0168
21
2025.MMP0170
48
2025.MMP0212
11
2025.MMP0216
2
2025.MMP0227
8
2025.MMP0228
1
2025.MMP0236
53
2025.MMP0238
1
2025.MMP0239
1
2025.MMP0240
1
2025.MMP0241
1
2025.MMP0250
1
2025.MMP0252
1
2025.MMP0253
1
2025.MMP0255
4
2025.MMP0257
2
2025.MMP0258
1
2025.MMP0259
4
2025.MMP0260
46
2025.MMP0261
4
2025.MMP0593
1
2025.MMP0594
1
2025.MMP0600
1
2025.MMP0610
3
2025.MMP0619
14
2025.MMP0620
8
2025.MMP0672
2
2025.MMP0674
1
2025.MMP0677
2
2025.MMP0678
1
2025.MMP0679
1
2025.MMP0680
1
2025.MMP0682
1
2025.MMP0683
1
2025.MMP0693
1
2025.MMP0694
1
2025.MMP0695
1
2025.MMP0696
1
2025.MMP0698
10
2025.MMP0705
1
2025.MMP0706
1
2025.MMP0707
1
2025.MMP0708
1
2025.MMP0709
1
2025.MMP0710
1
2025.MMP0711
1
2025.MMP0712
1
2025.MMP0713
2
2025.MMP0714
1
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2025.MMP0003
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2025.MMP0600
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2025.MMP0088
2025.MMP0142
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2025.MMP0090
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2025.MMP0101
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2025.MMP0144
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2025.MMP0672
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2025.MMP0258
2025.MMP0674
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2025.MMP0709
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2025.MMP0710
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2025.MMP0679
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2025.MMP0693
Migration within the Mediterranean
There is a long history of migration via the Mediterranean. Human mobility in all directions across the Mediterranean has occurred for thousands of years. Since at least the mid-1990s, thousands of people each year have crossed the Mediterranean by boat from the northern coasts of Africa and Turkey to seek asylum or to migrate to Europe if they do not have the documentation required by the countries of destination. The Mediterranean Sea is where irregular migration to Europe is most visible.
Migration across the Mediterranean: context in brief
There is a long history of migration via the Mediterranean. Human mobility in all directions across the Mediterranean has occurred for thousands of years. More recently, since at least the mid-1990s, thousands of people each year have crossed the Mediterranean by boat from the northern coasts of Africa and Turkey to seek asylum or to migrate to Europe if they do not have the documentation required by the countries of destination. It should be noted that the Mediterranean Sea is where irregular migration to Europe is most visible. However, people also use other irregular migration routes to reach Europe, including the sea crossings from Africa to the Spanish Canary Islands, from Comoros to French Mayotte, and the land route across the Turkey-Greece border and to/through the Balkans. The information here focuses on mixed migration dynamics of the three main routes to Europe across the Mediterranean Sea. However, it should be noted that these routes are not always used as defined and can overlap. Journalists and civil society organizations have documented the risks associated with these migration routes since the early 1990s.[1] Since 2014, Missing Migrants Project has recorded the deaths of tens of thousands of people in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Central Mediterranean route is the overseas crossing from North Africa to Italy and, to a lesser degree, Malta. Those migrating on this route generally aim to reach Italian shores but leave from a variety of North African countries bordering the Mediterranean. Though in past years most migrants have departed from Libya, which is a destination for migrants as well as a transit country, there is also a proportionally small but growing number of departures from Tunisia, Egypt, and Algeria. Tunisia in particular has seen an increase in departures, with Tunisian nationals comprising more than 60 percent of Central Mediterranean crossings in 2020 according to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix.
Between 1997 and 2010, an average of about 23,000 migrants arrived in Italy each year across the Mediterranean, though the number of arrivals recorded dropped to less than 10,000 between 2009 and 2010. In 2011, the number of migrants arriving in Europe via the Central Mediterranean route rose dramatically: 62,692 sea arrivals were recorded in Italy, a 13-fold increase over the 4,406 recorded in 2010. Migrant arrivals in Italy remained high in the years following 2011 but dropped in mid-2017. However, it is unclear if this is a true reduction in people arriving or due to an increased number of interceptions of migrants at sea by North African authorities and/or more deaths at sea. The former is particularly the case, as the number of people being returned to North African shores has increased in recent years. Interceptions by the Tunisian and Libyan coast guards accounted for 8 percent of all search and rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean in 2016, but by 2018, 49 percent of the total number people recorded attempting to cross were brought back to Tunisia or Libya. This shift can be attributed to several factors, including the decreased maritime patrol area of Italian authorities and the shift of EU/Frontex assets from maritime vessels to drones incapable of conducting rescue at sea.
Western Mediterranean
The Western Mediterranean has been a crossing point between North Africa and Spain for thousands of years. It encompasses several sub-routes, including the maritime journeys from Morocco and the western coast of Algeria across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alborán Sea as well as the land route into Ceuta and Melilla, two autonomous Spanish cities located in North Africa. Irregular migration to Spain has been a common occurrence since Spain introduced visa requirements for many North African countries in 1991 as part of the Schengen process. Migrants travelling on this route mostly depart from Morocco – the distance between Spain and Morocco is just 14.4 km at its closest point – though since the mid-2010s there is also a small but growing number of boat departures to mainland Spain from the western coast of Algeria. Moroccans have also been the most common nationality to reach Spain via the Western Mediterranean, most of whom are young men.
Eastern Mediterranean
The Eastern Mediterranean route involves maritime migration from Turkey to Greece and, to a lesser degree, Cyprus and Bulgaria. It was the main maritime route used for irregular entry to Europe in 2015, when nearly one million migrants attempted to cross the Mediterranean into Europe through this route (IOM, 2021a; 2021b). The number of people using this maritime route dropped sharply after the implementation of the European Union–Turkey agreement in late March 2016 and since then have remained far fewer than seen in 2015. The route is largely used by people from the Middle East and South Asia fleeing conflict and instability, notably Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans.
Overview of migrant deaths in the Mediterranean
Since at least 2014, when the Missing Migrants Project began, the Mediterranean Sea has become a site of escalating numbers of migrant fatalities. The migratory journeys prior to these Mediterranean crossings are also highly risky, as they often involve crossing remote terrains such as the Sahara Desert and residing, at least temporarily, in countries such as Libya where conditions for migrants are often dangerous.
Central Mediterranean
The Central Mediterranean is the deadliest known migration route in the world, with tens of thousands of deaths and disappearances recorded by MMP since 2014. This is due both to the length of the overseas journey, which can take days, as well as increasingly dangerous smuggling patterns, gaps in search-and-rescue capacity and restrictions on the life-saving work of NGOs. Migrants often cross the Central Mediterranean in unseaworthy, overloaded inflatable boats. Multiple boats may also be launched at the same time, which complicates search and rescue efforts significantly.
The Central Mediterranean is also the route where the most disappearances have occurred, though it is likely that many more deaths remain unrecorded. The hundreds of remains that wash up to North African shores each year indicate that countless remains have been lost at sea on this route. There is also strong evidence that many shipwrecks are “invisible” – boats in distress disappear with no survivors – that therefore go unrecorded. For example, MMP has recorded hundreds of human remains found on Libyan shores that are not linked to any known shipwreck.
Western Mediterranean
The vast majority of deaths on this route involve shipwrecks on the overseas route to the Spanish mainland. However, the land crossings to the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta are also hazardous, with several dozen deaths recorded by MMP attributable to violence, sickness and lack of access to health care. In several cases, accidental and violent deaths have occurred at the border fences of these Spanish enclaves linked to attempted crossings.
Eastern Mediterranean
Compared to the other Mediterranean routes, a higher proportion of people’s remains are recovered and brought ashore in the Eastern Mediterranean. This means that the identities and profiles of those who die are better known: the deaths of several hundred children have been recorded on the Eastern Mediterranean route, many of whom were under age 5. The many of those whose deaths are documented on this route were from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Data collection and challenges
In addition to the challenges inherent to collecting data on missing migrants, ensuring full coverage and completeness of migrant deaths in the Mediterranean faces unique obstacles. The nature of any overseas crossing means that it is highly likely that migrants may disappear without a trace, especially in cases where people are lost at sea or shipwrecks occur with no survivors. This is exemplified by the hundreds of remains recovered on the shores of Libya which are not linked to any known shipwreck, as well as the many reports of shipwrecks with no survivors that are challenging to verify. This means that not only is the documented number of deaths and disappearances on these migration routes likely an undercount, but also that for the vast majority of recorded cases little to no information on the individuals who die is available.
Resources
Data on attempted crossings of the Mediterranean Sea 2016-2024 can be downloaded here, including data on arrivals in Europe, interceptions by North African and Turkish Coast Guards, and migrant deaths and disappearances.
Migrant deaths and disappearances in the Mediterranean
The Missing Migrants Project dataset represents incidents in which a person lost their life during migration to an international destination. The figures shown throughout are best understood as a minimum estimate of the true number of people’s lives lost during migration worldwide.
For every person included in the Missing Migrants Project data, there is a family awaiting news of their loved one and affected by their loss in a multitude of ways. The impacts of migrant deaths and disappearances on their families left behind are profound and complex, and solutions are urgently needed to address families’ many unmet needs.