The latest statistics from the European border agency (Frontex) reaffirm what Brussels has been aware of for months, and what the forecasts a month ago already pointed out: middle mediterranean road It became the main gate. European Union For thousands and thousands of immigrants from North Africa. Only in the first four months of the year, Between January and AprilThe number of people trying to enter this dangerous road illegally has reached 42,165 peoplefour times more than recorded in the first four months of last year and more than half of those arriving in the EU.
Between January and April, border officials 80,700 irregular entries into the European UnionIt’s 30% more than a year ago, and the highest for the period analyzed since 2016, according to the agency’s preliminary estimates. In the case of the Central Mediterranean, the announced figure represents four times the number of entries registered in the same period of the previous year; this is the highest figure since Frontex began collecting data in 2009. In April alone, 14,474 people came via this route.
As Frontex warns, criminal groups human trafficking use more and more makeshift metal boatsThey are hastily assembled a few hours before departure and usually fishing boats haul these metal boats to the island of Italy. with lamp, the main goal. Frontex doesn’t say so in its analysis, but most incoming migrants are now leaving Tunisia.
The rest of the routes are falling
Frontex comparison, which holds 2,400 agents in border control operations, also confirms that while arrivals from the central Mediterranean are increasing, the number of people trying to reach via other entry routes is decreasing. This situation western balkansFrom countries such as Serbia and Bosnia to Hungary and Croatia, 22,546 people (7,140 people in April) entered in the first four months of last year, but this figure represents a 21% decrease compared to the same period last year. Frontex attributes the decline to the strengthening of border controls, particularly in Hungary.
those who come through East Mediterranean47% via the Canary Islands and 15% Ceuta and Melilla and Peninsula. For the Atlantic route, the new figures show 3,422 (1,203 in April) and 2,876 (830 in April) arrivals via the Western Mediterranean between January and April. So far this year, Syrian nationals are once again the most frequently detected country on all migration routes, with 17% of the total, but their numbers have declined in recent months in favor of nationals from sub-Saharan countries.
For example, the number of Ivorians has increased eightfold and the arrests of Guinean citizens has increased fivefold. In contrast, the arrests of Afghan citizens fell by half. In case of migration route Spainthe main nationalities identified are Morocco, Ivory Coast and Senegal in the case of the Canary Islands, and Morocco, Algeria and Guinea in the case of the Western Mediterranean.