– As of September 24, 2023, more than 2.5 thousand people were reported dead or missing. This figure represents a two-thirds increase compared to 1,000. 680 over the same period in 2022, Meniktivela said during a UN Security Council meeting dedicated to the migration crisis in the Mediterranean.
– Travel and coastal entry points to West or East Africa and the Horn of Africa and Libya are among the most dangerous in the world, the UNHCR representative said. “Refugees and migrants traveling overland from sub-Saharan Africa face death and serious human rights violations at every turn,” he added.
Migration pressure is increasing
According to UNHCR data, between January 1 and September 24, 2023, a total of 186,000 people arrived in Southern Europe (Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta). Immigrants to Italy, including 130 thousand, “represent an increase of 83% compared to the same period in 2022.”
In terms of departure countries, from January to August 2023, over 102,000. Migrants tried to cross the Mediterranean from Tunisia and 45,000 from Libya. The figure was 31,000, Menigdivela insisted, rescued at sea or intercepted in Tunisia and 10,000 in Libya, 600.