Deaths in the Central Mediterranean Reach Highest Levels Since 2017
In a tragic development, new data from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reveals that the number of deaths and missing migrants in the central Mediterranean has reached the highest level since 2017. According to the MSF, a total of 2,145 individuals have died or gone missing in the perilous waters between January and September 2023. This alarming statistic amounts to an average of eight deaths or disappearances per day. The central Mediterranean route is notorious for its dangers, with more than 28,229 lives lost or unaccounted for since 2013, according to the International Office for Migration.
The MSF report highlights the concerning increase in departures combined with the lack of state-led rescue efforts as contributing factors to the rising death toll. It states, The number of crossings in the Central Mediterranean is picking up again. This drastic increase in departures coupled with the lack of state-led rescue capacities have resulted in more distress cases and shipwrecks. The report also criticizes Europe’s border practices, citing violent pushbacks and failure to assist those at risk of drowning as indicative of a more reckless and uncaring approach.
MSF’s firsthand accounts shed light on the harrowing experiences of migrants attempting to make the perilous journey. Survivors rescued by MSF on their ship, Geo Barents, have displayed various conditions related to their treacherous voyages. These include fuel burns, poisoning, motion sickness, hypothermia, dehydration, and infections resulting from inhumane and overcrowded living conditions. Additionally, many survivors exhibit injuries that attest to the violence they faced in their countries of origin, such as gunshot wounds, broken limbs, and scars caused by recurring beatings, often inflicted by criminal gangs or national armed forces.
The central Mediterranean migration route has accounted for half of the irregular border crossings in 2023, according to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex. Recent data shows that the number of people arriving on Italy’s shores through this route has doubled compared to the same period last year. With Tunisia overtaking Libya as the primary departure point for Mediterranean crossings, Italy implemented stricter measures to curb migration in September.
Experts also emphasize the significant role of climate change in increasing migration flows. As the Middle East and North Africa, regions vulnerable to climate change, are close to Europe, the European Parliament predicts a rise in large-scale migration from these areas. In light of these challenges, MSF calls for the reform of search and rescue policies to ensure the safety of migrants undertaking this dangerous journey.
This distressing trend serves as a wakeup call for the international community to address the urgent need for effective solutions. As the death toll in the central Mediterranean continues to rise to unprecedented levels, it is imperative to prioritize the safety and well-being of those embarking on these perilous journeys in search of a better life.
