While migrant arrivals to Europe have fallen by 39 percent this year compared to the same period last year, deaths along the Central Mediterranean routes continue climbing, according to new data from the [International Organization for Migration (IOM](.https://www.iom.int/news/new-iom-data-migrant-arrivals-europe-fall-39-2026-while-deaths-continue-rise)

Nearly 60,000 migrants and refugees have arrived in Europe by sea, from 98,040 during the same period last year. Nonetheless at least 2,292 people have died or gone missing attempting the crossing, up from 1,999 for the same period last year. The Mediterranean and Atlantic routes are the deadliest maritime routes in the world.

The Central Mediterranean route to Italy had the steepest drop in arrivals of 55% from 48,231 to 21,393, but deaths on that route rose from 844 to 996. In Greece there were 20,428 arrivals, down from 25,427, while deaths jumped from 284 to 417. Spain saw 16,794 arrivals across the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean routes, down from 22,855 while fatalities remained high, at 879.