The year 2024 marked the deadliest on record for migrants worldwide, with nearly 9,000 lives lost, according to the United Nations.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) described the situation as both “unacceptable and preventable,” calling for urgent action to address the crisis.
“At least 8,938 people died on migration routes worldwide in 2024,” the IOM stated on Friday, noting that this was the fifth consecutive year of record-breaking fatalities.
Ugochi Daniels, the agency’s deputy director, underscored the human toll of the crisis.
“Behind every number is a human being, someone for whom the loss is devastating,” she said.
The actual death toll is believed to be even higher due to many cases going undocumented, the IOM warned.
A lack of official sources has made it difficult to track the full extent of the tragedy, with many victims remaining unidentified.
Asia, Africa, and Europe saw record numbers of migrant fatalities in 2024, with 2,778, 2,242, and 233 deaths respectively.
Meanwhile, the Mediterranean Sea, a key route for those attempting to reach Europe, claimed 2,452 lives.
According to the report, in the Americas, at least 1,233 migrant deaths were recorded, though final data is still being compiled.
The region witnessed a surge in fatalities, including an unprecedented 341 lives lost in the Caribbean and a record 174 deaths in the perilous Darien jungle between Colombia and Panama.
The Darien jungle, once a major corridor for migrants heading toward the United States, continues to be one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world.
As migrant deaths continue to rise, the UN is urging governments and international organisations to take immediate action to prevent further loss of life and provide safer migration pathways.
