The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, has revealed that the Central Mediterranean route has experienced a significant increase in the number of illegal detections during the first two months of 2023. According to a press release by the authority, a total of 11,951 illegal border crossings were recorded in January – February period at the Central Mediterranean route, representing an increase of 119 per cent compared to the same period in 2022, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
“Currently, more than 2,400 standing corps officers and Frontex staff are taking part in various operational activities. They support EU member states and neighbouring countries with irregular migration and other challenges at the external borders,” Frontex explains.
In general, 28,130 irregular border crossings were recorded in the first two months of the year, with the Central Mediterranean route representing two of every five irregular border crossings.
This route remained the most active for this period, recording 6,988 and 11,951 in January and February, respectively, while top nationalities recorded at this route came from Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Pakistan.
The Eastern Border has also experienced an increase during these months, recording a 145 per cent increase compared to the corresponding time in 2022. However, the number of detections was lower than that of those in other routes, with 131 and 856 detections recorded in January and February, respectively. The majority of arrivals at this route came from Ukraine, Iraq and Iran.
Heavily impacted by irregular borders were the exits towards the United Kingdom, with 3,253 and 5,622 border crossings, respectively while the top nationalities were Afghani, Iraqi and Eritrean.
The Eastern Mediterranean route also experienced a slight increase compared to the previous year – six per cent more, recording 1,644 detections in January and another 3,981 in February. The main countries of origin for this route were Syria, Afghanistan and Palestine.
In addition, the Western Mediterranean route which last year was one of the most affected by illegal border crossings, this year has been less active. A total of 361 and 1,099 illegal border crossings were recorded on this route in January and February, respectively, taking the total number of detections 38 per cent below those recorded in the corresponding period in 2022. The main arrivals were recorded from Morocco, Algeria and Senegal.