A total of 232,350 people crossed the European Union’s borders illegally between January and August, 18% more than the same period last year, and the Mediterranean remains the main route, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) revealed.
According to a Frontex bulletin released on Thursday, the Central Mediterranean remains the main migration route and has increased by 96% compared to the first eight months of last year (114,625 attempts to irregularly cross the borders of EU countries).
The Western Mediterranean recorded an increase of 14% compared to 2022 (9,447). Despite the increased number of irregular entry attempts, at 70,548, there was a 19% decrease in the number of crossings through the Western Balkans.
Frontex officers rescued a total of 32,008 people between January and August this year.
Source: DN
