In March 2025, the UN reported that at least 8,938 people have lost their lives on migration routes around the world, a record number, with the clarification that the real toll could be much higher due to undocumented deaths. These tragedies make 2024 the deadliest year on record, marking the fifth consecutive year of increases, according to the IOM. While Frontex boasts a 25% decrease in so-called irregular migration in January-February compared to 2024, thanks to “effective cooperation” with EU member states, migration tragedies continue to increase. Since the beginning of 2025, 2,47 people have disappeared or died trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. 

The majority of people fleeing conflict, violence and precariousness take the Central Mediterranean route, the deadliest, as shown by the shipwreck on the night of 16 to 17 March, where 612 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa were rescued off the coast of Tunisia, and 18 bodies were recovered after the boats capsized. 

The Atlantic route has also been the scene of many tragedies. On the weekend of March 15 and 16, seven bodies were found aboard a pirogue in the Atlantic Ocean, 180 people were on board.  

The Eastern Mediterranean route is also becoming increasingly dangerous. On 17 March, following a shipwreck off Cape Greco, off Cyprus, seven bodies were found, and of the 21 people from Syria on board, only two survived. 

Finally, more and more migrants are trying to reach the United Kingdom by crossing the Channel from France. This crossing has already claimed the lives of nine people in 2025. On 24 March, the body of an Eritrean woman aged around 30 was found on a beach near Calais, bringing to nine the number of victims in the Channel since the beginning of the year.