Nearly 8,000 Migrant Deaths or Disappearances in 2025: UN

Nearly 8,000 people died or disappeared on migration routes last year, with sea routes to Europe being the most deadly, according to a report released by the United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM). The figures highlight the ongoing dangers faced by migrants, many of whom are lost in so-called 'invisible shipwrecks' where entire boats vanish at sea without a trace.

The total number of 7,904 deaths or disappearances marks a decrease from the record high of 9,197 in 2024. However, the IOM attributes this drop partly to 1,500 suspected cases that went unverified due to cuts in aid and monitoring efforts. Maria Moita, who directs the IOM's humanitarian and response department, described these figures as a 'collective failure' to prevent such tragedies.

The report reveals that more than four out of every ten fatalities occurred on sea routes to Europe. The West African route northwards accounted for 1,200 deaths, while Asia reported a record number of fatalities, including hundreds of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar or the dire conditions in Bangladeshi refugee camps.

The IOM emphasized that migration routes are shifting due to conflict, climate pressures, and policy changes, but the risks remain high. 'Behind these numbers are people taking dangerous journeys and families left waiting for news that may never come,' said IOM Director General Amy Pope in a statement. The organization stressed the importance of data in understanding these routes and designing interventions to reduce risks and promote safer migration pathways.