The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that at least 8,938 migrants lost their lives on migratory routes worldwide in 2024, making it the deadliest year on record.
Deputy Director General for Operations at IOM, Ugochi Daniels, described the alarming death toll as unacceptable, highlighting a continuous rise in migrant fatalities over the past five years.
This year’s figure has already surpassed the 8,747 deaths recorded in 2023, and the actual number is expected to be even higher due to many undocumented cases.
Among the most affected regions, Asia recorded 2,778 deaths, Africa 2,242, and Europe 233. The Mediterranean remains one of the most perilous migration routes, with 2,452 fatalities reported in 2024.
The IOM has called for urgent measures to improve search and rescue operations and establish safe, legal migration pathways to prevent further loss of life.