Nearly 8,000 people died or disappeared on migration routes in 2025: IOM | News
UN Reports Nearly 8,000 Migrant Deaths or Disappearances in 2025
Published: April 21, 2026
Nearly 8,000 individuals died or went missing on migration routes in 2025, with maritime paths to Europe identified as the most perilous, according to a report released Tuesday by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The report highlights that many of these fatalities occurred in what are termed “invisible shipwrecks,” where vessels vanish without a trace. Maria Moita, director of the IOM’s humanitarian and response department, emphasized the gravity of the situation at a news conference. “These figures bear witness to our collective failure to prevent these tragedies,” she stated.
The total of 7,904 confirmed deaths and missing persons represents a decrease from the record 9,197 in 2024. However, the IOM noted that this decline may be misleading, as approximately 1,500 cases went unverified due to reductions in aid, according to the report. Since 2014, the cumulative number of deaths is estimated to exceed 82,000, affecting about 340,000 family members directly impacted by these losses.
The report also indicates that over 40 percent of these deaths and disappearances were associated with sea routes to Europe. “In Europe, overall arrivals declined, but the profile of movements changed, with Bangladeshi nationals becoming the largest group while arrivals from Syria decreased due to political and policy shifts,” the report states.
Notably, the West African route to Europe accounted for around 1,200 deaths. Additionally, a record number of fatalities were reported in Asia, including hundreds of Rohingya refugees fleeing conflict in Myanmar and dire conditions in crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh.
The IOM underscored that migration routes are evolving rather than diminishing, with dangers persisting along these increasingly treacherous journeys. “Routes are shifting in response to conflict, climate pressures, and policy changes, but the risks are still very real,” stated IOM Director General Amy Pope. She underscored the human cost of these journeys, noting the families left in limbo, awaiting news that may never come.
Pope asserted the importance of accurate data in understanding these dynamics. “Data is critical to understanding these routes and designing interventions that can reduce risks, save lives, and promote safer migration pathways,” she added.
