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The most dangerous immigrant routes in the world: where (undocumented) immigrants most often die

The world's most dangerous immigrant routes: where illegal immigrants most often die. Photo: Shutterstock

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have tightened border controls, which prompted illegal immigrants (editor's note: people are not illegal – they may be undocumented, which is illegal, but a human is not an “illegal.” – bjc) to go en masse along migrant paths. And as experts warn, this will lead to an increase in casualties.

According to the , since 2014, while trying to get to the United States or EU countries, people died or went missing about 50 thousand migrants, and the real numbers could be much higher.

But what are the most dangerous routes for migrants, and why?

Central Mediterranean

It is this path that IOM calls the most dangerous. According to some estimates, more than 19,500 people have died since 2014 trying to get from North Africa to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. inflatable boats, making their journey almost always fatal.

In addition, these “ships” are often driven by members of criminal gangs or smugglers.

In Tunisia, from where (along with Libya) most of the migrants from Africa go to Europe via the Mediterranean, there is even a cemetery specially designed for drowned migrants.

The sight of such a cemetery stops someone, however, no matter what, many migrants are still willing to risk their lives.

“Migrant attempts to cross the Mediterranean continue, and we are most concerned about the persistently high death rate along this most dangerous maritime migration route in the world, – says IOM spokeswoman Safa Mseli. – The sea continues to claim human lives.”

According to a report by the European Union's external border security agency Frontex, almost 300,000 people have been rescued trying to cross the Mediterranean since 2015.

Intra-African Routes

For many African migrants, the European dream begins with a long journey across their own continent, and in order to get to North Africa, they often have to cross the Sahara.

The natural conditions of this desert, of course, represent people are in great danger. The IOM believes that between 2014 and 2022 almost 5,400 people died crossing the Sahara.

Another tangible threat along the way – numerous gangs of smugglers involved in human trafficking, as well as corrupt customs and border officials.

The border between Mexico and the United States

Not all migration routes in America lead to the United States, but for most migrants, the United States is the desired end goal.

Meanwhile, crossing the border between Mexico and the United States is considered one of the most difficult undertakings. The region is famous for its challenging terrain, with rugged deserts and the dangerous Rio Grande that flows along the border between the two countries.

It is the danger of drowning on this route that is very high. IOM estimates that over 3,000 people have died there since 2014.

Of course, the temptation to avoid danger by traveling in a truck is great, but there are risks, as a recent a case of mass death of migrants in San Antonio.

According to Safa Mseli, there have already been several similar incidents recently with migrants trying to reach the United States, and with a large number of victims.

For example, in December 2021, 56 migrants bound for the United States died in the Mexican state of Chiapas as a result of an accident with the truck they were traveling in.

Asian routes

According to IOM, in 2020, four out of ten migrants were natives of Asia, and several main migration routes run across the Asian continent at once.

Over the past 8 years, almost 5,000 people have died or gone missing on these routes. Most of the dead were Rohingya migrants or Bangladeshis who tried by sea, through the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, to reach neighboring safe countries or even to Europe. incredible difficulties.

“We were hungry, we had no water, and so we spent a whole month on the high seas,” Muhammad Ilyas, a Rohingya refugee, told reporters after his rescued from a distressed boat by Indian Navy sailors.

As on other routes, here too people often become victims of smugglers.

Another problematic plot – this is the border between Iran and Turkey, where since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, there has been an unprecedented influx of Afghan refugees.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in Iran and over 2 million Afghan refugees have already been officially registered in neighboring countries.

 

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original location.

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EYES ON TRAFFICKING

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original online location.

ABOUT PBJ LEARNING

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on awareness and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials online course is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.