Nearly 8,000 Migrants Died or Disappeared in 2025, UN Agency Reports

Nearly 8,000 people died or went missing along global migration routes in 2025, according to a new report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency.

The report highlights that sea routes toward Europe remain the most dangerous pathways for migrants, with a significant number of deaths linked to so-called “invisible shipwrecks,” where entire vessels disappear without a trace.
 

The IOM stated that a total of 7,904 deaths and disappearances were recorded last year, a decrease from 9,197 in 2024. However, officials warned that the decline does not reflect improved safety, noting that around 1,500 suspected cases could not be verified due to reduced humanitarian monitoring and aid limitations.

More than 40 percent of all recorded fatalities occurred on maritime routes leading to Europe. The West African migration corridor accounted for around 1,200 deaths, while Asia also recorded a sharp rise in fatalities, including many linked to Rohingya refugees attempting dangerous journeys.
 

The report noted that Rohingya individuals fleeing conflict in Myanmar and deteriorating living conditions in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps were among those at high risk during irregular migration attempts.
 

IOM Director General Amy Pope said migration routes are constantly shifting due to conflict, climate pressures, and changing policies, but the dangers remain severe. She emphasized that behind every statistic are individuals undertaking life-threatening journeys and families waiting for news that often never arrives.
 

The agency described the ongoing death toll as a “collective failure” of the international community to prevent avoidable tragedies and improve safe migration pathways.