The first two months of 2026 have brought a sharp rise in the number of people dying while attempting to reach Europe by sea, despite a drop in overall crossings. Experts say a combination of weather patterns, evolving smuggling tactics and increasingly restrictive border policies is making the already hazardous route across the Mediterranean even more dangerous.
According to the latest data from the International Organisation for Migration, at least 655 people died or went missing in the Mediterranean in January and February – more than double the 287 recorded during the same period in 2025.
