Migration saw nearly 8,000 people die or disappear in 2025

Nearly 8,000 people died or vanished during migration in 2025

Mohan Sinha
23 Apr 2026, 00:50 GMT+10

A United Nations agency said on April 21 that nearly 8,000 people died or went missing while migrating last year, mainly on sea routes to Europe.
More than 40 percent of deaths and disappearances happened on sea routes to Europe, with many of these being “invisible shipwrecks,” where entire boats disappear at sea and are never found.
Amy Pope, the head of the migration agency, said that migration routes are changing because of conflict, climate pressures, and policy changes, but they remain very dangerous.

GENEVA, Switzerland: A United Nations agency said on April 21 that nearly 8,000 people died or went missing while migrating last year. The deadliest journeys were sea routes to Europe, where many people were lost in what are called "invisible shipwrecks."

Maria Moita, who leads the humanitarian and response team at the International Organization for Migration, said in Geneva that these numbers show a shared failure to stop such tragedies.

The number of deaths and missing people, 7,904, was lower than the record 9,197 in 2024. However, the agency said this drop may be partly due to about 1,500 suspected cases not being confirmed due to cuts in aid.

More than 40 percent of the deaths and disappearances happened on sea routes to Europe. Many of these were "invisible shipwrecks," where entire boats disappear at sea and are never found.

The West African route heading north saw about 1,200 deaths. Asia also recorded its highest number of deaths, including hundreds of Rohingya refugees escaping violence in Myanmar or harsh conditions in crowded camps in Bangladesh.

Amy Pope, the head of the migration agency, said that migration routes are changing because of conflict, climate pressures, and policy changes, but they remain very dangerous. She added that behind these numbers are real people taking risky journeys and families waiting for news that may never come.

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