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MISSING MIGRANTS

Migrant deaths on maritime routes to in 2021 The opinions expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the report do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IOM concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning its frontiers or boundaries. IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As an intergovernmental organization, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to: assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration; advance understanding of migration issues; encourage social and economic development through migration; and uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants.

This publication has been issued without formal editing by the Publications unit of IOM.

CONTENT Andrea Garcia Borja (IOM GMDAC) and Merna Abdelazim (IOM RO )

LAYOUT DESIGN AND DATA VISUALIZATION Roberta Aita, IOM GMDAC

COVER IMAGE Roberta Aita, IOM GMDAC

PHOTOS © International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) International Organization for Migration (IOM) Taubenstr. 20–22 D 10117 Berlin, Germany Tel.: +49 30 278 778 22 Fax: +49 30 278 778 99

Please visit the GMDAC website for publications, resources, and events: http://gmdac.iom.int.

Suggested citation: Garcia Borja, A. and M. Abdelazim, 2021. The Situation of Migrant Deaths in the Mediterranean in 2021. IOM, Geneva. Source: Figure 2021 in2019,2020and crossings for Mediterranean inthe deaths periodJan–June 1:Attempted and the HALFOF2021 INTHEFIRST DOUBLE MIGRANT DEATHS ONMARITIMEROUTES TO EUROPE Guard, Libyan Guard, Algerian Ministry ofInterior,Guard, Guard, Libyan Ministry Algerian Coast Tunisian Guard, National Tunisian ofInterior, Ministry FTDES. Missing Migrants Project, Spanish Ministry of the Interior, ofthe ofInterior, Ministry Spanish Project, Ministry Missing Migrants Guard, Italian Turkish HellenicCoast Coast

Migrant deaths on maritime 3 routes to Europe in 2021 4 MISSING MIGRANTS to . route Mediterranean from Eastern the Turkeytaking routes, whereasMediterranean sixpeopledied recorded Western (741)and Central onthe (149) periodin2020.The same livesthe were most lost representing a130percentincrease compared to toJune2021, bodyofwaterfromthis January to have toreach Europe diedattempting across 896people are fatalities: site ofthese known main the 2019 (674).The Seawas Mediterranean recorded periodin2020(513)and same inthe increase compared fatalities tothe a substantial their livestheir routes onmaritime toEurope. 1,146peoplelost of2021,atleast half first In the IN 2021THAN2020 MARITIME ROUTES TO EUROPE MORE DEATHS RECORDED ON 3 2 1 individuals remainsindividuals unknown. regionsother (10).However, of872 nationality the (139),followedAfrica by Western (120),and were ofthem Most age. from nationals Northern rest, the there is no information sex or on their men, 104were women 50were and children. For livestheir routes onmaritime toEurope, 409were show 1,146peoplewholost outofthe data that Westernthe Route. African/Atlantic The available toreach ’sdied attempting on Islands Canary (47,865), which was also 17percentfewer also was (47,865), which than routesmaritime toEurope of2020 half first in the lower tomigrateon numberofpeopleattempting spread its mayput inplacetocontain the explain COVID-19 restrictions mobility the and pandemic cent compared period in2020.The same tothe of2021increased sixmonths first the by 58per cross Seatoreach Mediterranean the Europe in to Meanwhile, numberofpeopleattempting the

representative. are these not onpeoplewhodieor go missingatsea, data to collect whenever available.missing iscollected However, given challenges the information (suchIdentifying nationality) and deadand sex, ofthe age, as 1&2.Available atbit.ly/3flKegN Parts Missing Migrants, 2017.Fatal Journeys Volumefor IOM, example: 3–Improving on Data see, onmigrationjourneys, disappearance and ondeaths data collecting For number ofdeaths. information true count ofthe challenges onthe recorded disappearances and by IOM’s Project are MissingMigrants alow ). The 2021.Available numbersofdeaths atbit.ly/3AEZfD9 (IOM, from by2020, 12percentofpeoplewhoarrived inItaly seadeparted thereand defined, these isthat evidence routes overlap. in For example, routes these peopletake notall they are as , Mediterranean the routesMediterranean are frequented across most the migrationpassages to Greece Western and . and Eastern Central, the Although route”Mediterranean seacrossing the isusedtodescribe from Turkey “Eastern the while , and toItaly Africa of coast fromnorth the route” Mediterranean “Central isconsidered migrationroute tobethe The exclaves autonomousSpanish Africa. two inNorth located , well crossing and the as Islands as intoCeuta Balearic the and mainland Spanish ofAlgeriatothe western the coast and The “Western route” Mediterranean seajourney the from includes https://missingmigrants.iom.int/downloads routes onthese Greece. ondeaths and bedownloaded can Data here: on Europe’s deaths does it include Turkey between borders, land as such routes toMayotte toEuropean as Nor such orCuraçao. territories, to Spain’s The maritime other doesnotinclude analysis Islands. Canary from Seaand Mediterranean Morocco Western the and ofAfrica coast The maritime briefing includes in this analysis routes to Europe across the 2 In the same period, at least 250people atleast period, same Inthe 3

. . 1 This is documented. toreach Europepeople attempting have even been carrying ofboats Additionally, ofpushbacks instances proceedings pendinglegal (as in ports ofJune2021). whileninewere presentone boatwas atsea, blocked maritime authorities. authorities. maritime search rescue and missionswhendirectedtoby 6 were intercepted operations:31,565people maritime states' African show increase data an inNorth the At time, same the IN 2021 COAST ANDLIBYA OFTUNISIA INTERCEPTIONS AT OFFTHE SEA IN CROSSING: INCREASE CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN disembarkation at safe ports inmultipleinstances. atsafedisembarkation ports (NGO-run)civilian vessels denying and ordelaying operationsof onthe newimposedrestrictions with search rescue and measures impacted also efforts, periodin2019.COVID-19 same in the related 8 7 5 4 during the first half of2021. half first during the – ifany, search –ofcivilian atall rescue and ships crew Thisagainst members. ledtolimiteddeployment administrative proceedings and ongoingcriminal and duetoadministrative seizures at European ports blocked boats oftheir majority the with operations, their to continued toface obstacles significant to Europe. search Civilian rescue and organizations continuinglossoflifethe migrationroutes inmaritime have Islands toend beeninsufficient Canary to the Atlantic route onthe Seaand Mediterranean in the of2021,search half and first In the rescue operations of 2019. period equivalent 17,971inthe of2020and months of2021,compared six half the first first to23,117in territorial waters. territorial to patrol been left their responsibility has to states tosearchin placededicated rescue, and the and 2021.Available at IOM, interceptions may rescues. include however authorities, African figures some of the for and Algerian Tunisian 'interception' isusedtorefer torefer operationsofNorth to maritime to enter.” 2019,bit.ly/3chdMKL IOM, or personsdonothave required the permission orvalid documentation law. maritime ornational international Inrelation above, tothe person the to grounds persons contrary tobelieve vessel the istransporting or(iii) journey; their control ofvessels where assert there are reasonable onwardfurther travel international by persons whohave commenced prevent (ii) journey; international ofpersonsonan embarkation prevent to:(i) watersorborders territorial State, ofanother highseas, on the “anyas orseaborders, land or measure atits by either applied aState, 2019).Aninterception (IOM, isunderstood toaplaceofsafety” them providein distress, deliver and for needs, orother medical initial their A rescueas atseaisdefined operationto “an data. the retrieve persons by of interceptions analysis onthe rescues limitations and puts this and available publicly their do not disaggregate authorities data African North Available atbit.ly/36d2rIa Brussels. ResearchParliamentary Service, 2021,Search rescue and European Mediterranean. inthe A., Radjenovic, ly/3yqINo2. 2021.AvailableEuropean for atbit. Rights, Fundamental UnionAgency OHCHR, 2021.Available atbit.ly/2V9lv7L OHCHR, 6 There iscurrently operation noEU-led 8 by North African authorities in the inthe authorities African by North 7 bit.ly/3uK3VTY Commercial with vessels assist . Throughout the term briefing, this 5 . Most of the time, only only time, ofthe Most . . 4

Missing Migrants Project, Spanish Ministry of the Interior, ofthe ofInterior, Ministry Spanish Project, Source: Ministry MissingMigrants Guard, Italian Turkish HellenicCoast Coast Figure 2021 crossings in2019,2020and for Mediterranean 2:Attempted inthe periodJan–June the Guard, Libyan , FTDES, Algerian Ministry ofInterior. Ministry Algerian Guard, Guard, Libyan FTDES, Coast

Migrant deaths on maritime 5 routes to Europe in 2021 6 MISSING MIGRANTS two daystwo before boatcapsized, the leaving nobody for for imminentdanger ofthe passengers the alerted Libyan European and were authorities repeatedly inSudan. frommen whocame district same the were many young victims ofthe deceased, reportedly According families offriendsand ofthe totestimonies . from Al-Khums, milesnorthwest 73 nautical Gabès, accordingGabès, tomediareports. by workersassisted oil platform at an Gulf of in the ThreeLibya. in distress were boats of these initially embarked from hadreportedly of Médenine, Zuwara, the Governorate near specifically months, two past capsizedfive which off boats the in Tunisian where events tragic At took place. two these least interception area same the operations around , total more (52%)ofits half conducted than Navy InMarch Tunisian the April, to rescue and 3survivors. able was ninewomen Navy the onechild; and at least Mansour, lives the including of41people, taking Sfax, ofSidi approximatelythe coast milesoff 2.2nautical 39 whodrowned. boatsank OnApril15,another retrieved165 peopleand remains the ofanother Tunisian the milesfromnautical Sfax, rescued Navy capsized off boats around , 25 of livesthe coast off two OnMarch 9,when . their lost 220migrants timeatleast duringthis and June 2021compared periodin2020, same tothe Guard to increased byCoast 90percentinJanuary The intercepted numberof individuals by Tunisian the Phone, Alarm Sea, indistress Mediterranean inthe migrants for hotline civilian-run the people onboard contacted Libya the nightofApril20.The onthe morning, next to have of Al-Khums, city embarked from port the of2021. sixmonths first Their boatispresumedthe lives their largest lost inthe recorded in 130people hoursofApril22,atleast early In the 130 in the equivalent periodof2020. equivalent 130 inthe June2021,compared and to Libya January between 454peoplehave of lives their least the coast lost off At torture. and disappearance, detention, extortion, returnedsea and toLibya toarbitrary are subjected whoare given migrants intercepted that worrying, at periodof2020(5,476people).same This isparticularly three manyinthe of2021,almost timesas months 15,330 peoplewere returned toLibya six first inthe interceptedof migrants atseaby Libyan authorities: There increase number beenalarge inthe also has 12 11 10 9 and rescueand vessel, Viking, the found on April22by crew the search civilian ofthe lifeless remains peopleonboard, ofsomethe were the and boat, left inflatable ofthe Whatwas boat.

Alarm Phone, 2021.Available Phone, Alarm at 2020.Available atbit.ly/34jNPWl IOM, at The Associated Press,The 2021,bit.ly/36csgbe Associated ; Tunisie 2021,bit.ly/3xiN1hu Al Jazeera, 2021,bit.ly/3Aw9SrJ Numerique, The Viking. Available Ocean NGOSOSMEDITERRANEE operatesthe . https://sosmediterranee.com/ 11 whoinformed relevant the about authorities bit.ly/3AwQR8G. . . . 9 12 10 approximately

; lost their lives. their lost 3 people by Spain at least sea and and land , 19 May, 9,000peoplecrossed estimated an into crossing. Likewise,died duringthe 17and between 5Moroccan migrants atleast and of Fnideq toCeuta, toswimfrom Moroccan the people attempted city to have died). 2019 (whenperson died) and 7people are known periodin2020(when same inthe higher than one Morocco Melillaand and significantly was of Ceuta crossing the cities the between who diedattempting Inparticular, Melilla. and numberofpeople the Ceuta crossing the territoriesof Spanish tothe attempting northern Morocco Spain, and northern route 47peoplediedonthe to Spain, between crossing76 peoplediedonthe from Western routeMediterranean five first in the of 2021: months 149peoplehaveAt least Western diedonthe CEUTA INCREASE ANDMELILLA ROUTE: DEATHS ENROUTE TO WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN 15 14 13 despite passing through SARzone.despite passing Maltese the eventually Guard, being rescued Coast by Italian the 60peoplewereand indistress for three days before from approximately Libya 100 carrying had departed that boats onApril4,two alive. instance, earlier Inan be common in the first six months of2021. sixmonths first be commoninthe exemplified continueto as operations, cases, these by Delays failures and search to launch rescue and In the first half of 2019, 2,788 people arrived in the cities of Ceuta and arrived of2019,2,788 people half cities ofCeuta the in first Inthe G1i7f period in 2021 the arrivals increased to9,790. arrivals period in2021the periodin2020,1322people arrived same inthe same inthe and Melilla, barked from Algeria. are excluded from are count since boats this presumed to have em- co; , offMojácar, Incidents Spain. Motril, UKand Spain Almeria, occurring off Hoceima, on incidents based Calculated , Moroc Alarm Phone, 2021. Available Phone, Alarm at . 15 On 24 and 25 April, more 25April, On24and 100 than bit.ly/3yFdyGL 14 and 26peopledied and , bit.ly/3fnOA73, bit.ly/3w 13 - -

higher. numberscouldbedrastically the that indicate mediaby onsocial families activists and butposts to Spain, from families. have their none of them on April 1, but since then, contacted where families the ofAlgeria, ofeightyoung sonsdeparted their media that toldthe Algerians coast Eastern men who sailed from on14May, frommen whosailed Mostaganem noneofwhomhave appeared since. information.platforms seeking There for beenacall also intensifiedsearch an has by of11 families young have agoand months notbeenheard –have from departure sincetheir media onsocial publishedcalls invisible . remains recovered (mostly coast AïnTémouchent, Algerian near onthe Mostaganem) Oran, possible signaling thehuman has been this evidenceof significant the most of2021.Some sixmonths first continued inthe The Western on the trend a trace going missing without of migrants route Mediterranean to Europe has 21 20 19 18 17 16 .” inthisworld andIhaveonlyoneliver[heart] gone, is Myliver[heart] backmyson,aliveordead,andhehasansweredbring me. of AïnTémouchent, God.Iprayed toGod Hisfather “Thanks said: Algeria. Hisremains Spain. wereAlmería, finally recovered thecoast onApril5,off ofashipwreck victims the among off hewas rumorsthat him, tornwith search afrantic family for conducted information to whathappened about when heleft hopingtoreach 9friendsfrom with His Spain. Algeria, Oran, Twenty-two-year-old AlSagheerwent Sohail rapper missingonMarch 24 Mediterranean Route,Mediterranean inAïn specifically and . ,Témouchent, Mostaganem Oran, decrease operationsoccurred ofthese compared periodin2020(1,937).Most Western same onthe tothe were of2021,1,712migrants months intercepted rescued and by Navy. Algerian the This isa13percent rouk Echo 2021.Available Online, atbit.ly/3hrQaGl Invisible They leaving without atseadisappear shipwrecks by are any boats are inwhich survivors. reported usually NGOsindirect contact cases 2021.Available atbit.ly/3fSskRM Aljazeera, Sky News Arabia, 2021.Available athttps://archive.vn/ZZ4rM NewsArabia, Sky Echorouk 2021.Available Online, atbit.ly/3hkaYz9. of the informationof the sources. ofapersonwhoseremains disappearance the are notfound. The record Projectrateseach and quality onaverificationthe quantity toindicate scale of invisiblein cases shipwrecks however, atseaare deaths verified as usually whenhuman are remains recovered orwhen multiplesources report onboard those and are to distress calls, presumed at sea. tobelost onboard those with families with and/or searching for Often, missingpeople. no search-and-rescue operationisknown tohave occurred inresponse The Missing Migrants Project records deaths in its database whenthereThe Project records isenoughevidence MissingMigrants for database ittobesufficientlyvery difficult inits deaths verified. canbe This 18 For several example, for families looking loved their ones – who are presumed to have from sailed 17 In the first six months of 2021, 76 fatalities of2021,76 sixmonths werefatalities first Inthe recorded en route from Algeria pregnant wife 2-year-old and daughter. WhenElAraby drowned,higher ifhereturned toCeuta. heleft behindhis he believed income would an of earning his chances be restaurants, impact However, to when measures spread to counter the of COVID-19 started city, Fnideq, inMorocco, where hecouldwork inafast-food restaurant. before COVID-19 onsetofthe the whenhereturned pandemic, tohis from Morocco ElAraby on25April. usedtowork in Ceuta inarestaurant ElArabyOne man, Kerekech, toswimCeuta hislife lost whileattempting . . . 21

16 19 The goesfor same the 20 During the first six first Duringthe

Migrant deaths on maritime 7 routes to Europe in 2021 8 MISSING MIGRANTS Missing Migrants Project, Spanish Ministry of the Interior ofthe Ministry Spanish Project, Source: MissingMigrants Figure Western onthe deaths and 3:Arrivals Atlantic Route, Africa 2021 in2019,2020and for periodJan–June the “ “ in 2020 has continuedinto2021. in 2020has route, began trend –which the ofinvisible nosurvivors with disappear shipwrecksofpeoplethat –boats second half of2020.Thissecond half of2021. half trend first continuedintothe has inthe Islands around Canary inthe 12,569peoplearriving July2020,with increased route useofthis started periodof2019. the equivalent and 455in of2020 compared half The first to2,700inthe Islands, Canary the June2021,6,555peoplearrived and viaseato January crossings. Between increase an inattempted indicate of2021,compared half first toprevious inthe Islands can which beendocumented, has Canary years, 25 24 23 22 survivors. rescued boat and the who located three the Air Force Spanish one of the crew members Serrano, Carlos Juan Corporal Spanish said It wasamassgrave inthemiddleofsea”, Islands. Hierro, Canary of El South 490 kilometers on 26 April, them AirForce Spanish the rescued and spotted from any vessels route, before They were for drifting asea 22days, far away throw abodyinthewater”;Aishasaid. At theend,noprayer. Not eventhestrength to seawater. we’d sayaprayer. Atthebeginning, We used ashoetogivethemsome out ofthirst. who could no longer stand up and who screamed day,the fourth no more petrol. There were men Two nofood. On dayslaterwehad nowaterleft, perishedonboard.passengers remaining the 56 Islands, towards Canary the on4Aprilfrom sailed Nouakchott, inaboatthat three oneofthe was survivors a17-year-oldAicha, girlfrom Côted’Ivoire, route. goingmissingonthis ofboats organizations society civil recorded. However, itisbelieved many that more peoplehave drowned, given from repeated the reports Islands were to the Canary reach of250peopleattempting the deaths of2021, sixmonths first In the IN2021COMPAREDDOUBLE TO 2020 RECORDED DEATHS ONROUTES TO THECANARY ISLANDS migration route more difficult. authorities)or Mauritanian are onthis notavailable. risks complexitiesand the This makes understanding (such from coast African departures the numberofpeopleintercepted the as by Moroccan, Senegalese, numberof onthe are data Islands onirregular as highlyincomplete, Data migrationby Canary seatothe far. in2014,thus onmissingmigrants data collecting began documentedinfull850 deaths year 2020represent documentednumberoflives sinceIOM highest the lost and June2020(124). the numberof of2021(250)isdouble half The first recorded January between deaths For information on the challenges involved in calculating mortality rates in the context of migration, see: Dearden, K. and M. Sánchez Dionis, 2020. 2020. Dionis, Sánchez M. and ofmigration,see:Dearden, context ratesinthe K. For information involved challenges on the mortality incalculating . 2021. Available atbbc.in/3ytU6f4 BBC, For more information Western reactivation ofthe onthe 2021. J., Atlantic Route Africa/ route, onthis see:Black, fatalities migrant and please fromthe that departed of2021,42boats six months first duringthe that Fronteras For Caminando alerted collective Spanish the example, Maritime Migration to Europe: Focus on the Overseas Route to the . IOM, Geneva. Available. at bit.ly/3ueoec8 Geneva. MigrationtoEurope:Maritime IOM, Focus Islands. Overseas onthe Route Canary to the Western Available towards atbit.ly/3keHtAO diedatsea. disappeared coast Africa passengers Canaries the the all and Geneva. ofMigrationJourneys: Focus Rates” IOM, Context Mediterranean. inthe Central onthe “Death Calculating 25

24 With tothe increase numberofpeoplearriving alarge inthe said, that 23 The recorded numberofdeaths inthe Islands enroute Canary tothe 22 for . Malavolta ©IOM/Francesco 2014 Guard rescues refugees and Coast migrants Italian bound Similar to the Western tothe Similar Mediterranean Available at . bit.ly/3bElU7A .

Migrant deaths on maritime 9 routes to Europe in 2021 10 MISSING MIGRANTS these obligations. these cooperation. The oflives lossofthousands routes onmaritime toEurope represent afailure to uphold ofStates require all these Whenitcomestomissingmigrants, international status. origin,genderorother national manner, beupheldinanondiscriminatory obligationsmust rights irrespective ofaperson’s ethnicity, race, well toappropriately torecover and as inform deceased, human the all Furthermore, families. their identify and as righttolife obligationtoprotectthe the toeffectively and investigatecause isuncertain, their when deaths are States required This obligations. includes commitments, Alongside these rights human toupholdinternational perilous journeys toreach countries. other orderly, to“facilitate on States safe, regular responsible and migration,” peopleare sothat notcompelledtotake Developmentmigrants.” calls 10.7,which address Goal toSustainable helpStates commitment also their Itcan for Migrationto“save onmissing Compact Global 8 ofthe coordinated lives efforts international establish and thousands of people each year. ofpeopleeach thousands Europe not common or recorded was before yet 1990s, loss of early life the the since then, accounted for has migrationroutes peopledyingonmaritime notingthat COVID-19when the to Itisworth began. pandemic This recorded 1,146deaths includes Islands. and 3,165sinceMarch of2021 sixmonths 2020, first inthe Canary 23,720peoplehave tothe ofAfrica lives their least migratingfrom Seaand Mediterranean lost inthe coasts the duringmigrationin2014,at disappearances and documentingdeaths Projectstarted MissingMigrants Since the MIGRANTS AT SEA CONCLUSION: THEURGENT NEEDFORLIFESAVING TO RESPONSES 28 27 26 information beenlimited. has other sources and of asaccesstosurvivors data, ofpublicofficial lack the amid particularly more challenging, families the and theyleave whodieatsea, those even The behind. COVID-19collection madedata has pandemic isknown about responses humane migration.Stillin2021,little toMediterranean neededtosupport urgently onirregularmaritime migrationtogaps indata Thisthe significant Europe, briefinghighlights thesedata are to their lost loved lost to their ones. gone unrecorded. left behindafamily peoplehas oneofthese whomay Every never happened know whathas IOM, 2021.Available atbit.ly/3hI9QV0 IOM, . IOM’s faced Projectrecently challenges onthe by MissingMigrants completed astudy infour families the the (Spain, ofmissingmigrants countries and journalists by NGOs efforts 1990s, early duringmigrationsince2014.Sincethe for ondeaths data seewww.missingmigrants.iom.int Please , and Zimbabwe). and United Kingdom,Ethiopia willbepublished onwww.missingmigrants.iom.int final Thereport forthcoming ofmigration toEurope, context inthe deaths documented these for UNITEDfor example, Available Intercultural atbit.ly/3hjY1FR Action. 27

28 Better data can help states urgently address urgently underObjective commitment their helpstates can data Better 26 Meanwhile, many more are likely tohave have deaths diedoutofsightortheir . .