The United Nations reported that this summer, the number of migrants who lost their lives or went missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea has tripled in comparison to the previous year. Between June and August, at least 990 individuals perished or disappeared on the central Mediterranean route connecting northern
Africa and Europe, in contrast to 334 fatalities during the same months in 2022, as stated by UNICEF. Although specific figures for children's deaths during these crossings were not provided, UNICEF did note that 11,600 unaccompanied minors were part of the migrant population trying to reach Italy on makeshift vessels from January to September, marking a 60 percent increase from the first nine months of 2022.
UNICEF coordinator Regina De Dominicis expressed, "The Mediterranean has tragically become a graveyard for children and their hopes for the future." She attributed the distressing number of children losing their lives in pursuit of asylum and safety in Europe to political decisions and flaws in the migration system.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees reported that from January 1 to September 24, 2,500 migrants perished or went missing in the Mediterranean, representing a 50 percent rise compared to the same period in the previous year. This surge in migrant fatalities coincides with European governments' intensified efforts to curb migration, thereby increasing the risks associated with these journeys and leading to a higher number of fatalities.