Rome: Ten years after Europe’s peak migration crisis, the Mediterranean Sea continues to claim lives even as overall crossings into the European Union have sharply declined. Recent figures show a significant reduction in irregular migration, but shifting routes and tragic incidents highlight the ongoing humanitarian challenge.

According to Frontex and the International Organization for Migration, irregular crossings into the EU fell by 38 percent in 2024, dropping to just over 239,000, the lowest level since 2021. The decline is largely attributed to strengthened cooperation with North African governments, which has disrupted major smuggling networks. Fatalities on the central Mediterranean route also fell, with 1,314 deaths recorded in 2024, a notable decrease from previous years. In the first half of 2025, 588 deaths were reported, a 38 percent decline compared to the same period in 2024.

Despite these reductions, the sea remains perilous. On August 13, at least 26 migrants drowned off Lampedusa after two overcrowded boats capsized while attempting the crossing from Libya. Nearly 100 people had set out on the journey, but many remain missing, and survivors were taken to a reception center on the Italian island. So far in 2025, at least 675 people have died attempting the central Mediterranean crossing, maintaining its grim reputation as one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors, with more than 24,000 deaths in the past decade.

At the same time, new routes are emerging. Spain’s Balearic Islands have witnessed a sharp surge in arrivals, with nearly 4,500 migrants reaching the islands in 2025, a 170 percent increase compared to the same period last year and more than 500 percent higher than in 2023. Many of these journeys are being made by East African migrants, including Somalis and South Sudanese, who travel through less-monitored areas of Algeria before attempting the dangerous sea crossing.

The policy response remains divided. The Italian government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and EU officials point to reduced departures as evidence that tougher measures are working. They argue that disrupting smugglers’ networks is essential to saving lives. However, humanitarian organizations warn that tighter restrictions on rescue operations, such as limiting NGOs to one rescue mission at a time and requiring disembarkation at distant ports, are leaving migrants stranded and increasing the risks of deadly incidents.

Another emerging factor is the impact of regional conflicts. Sudanese refugees, fleeing civil war and facing stricter immigration policies in Egypt, are increasingly using Libya as a transit point to Europe. Data shows that Sudanese arrivals in Europe rose by 134 percent in the first five months of 2025, underscoring how instability continues to reshape migration flows.

While the number of irregular arrivals may be decreasing, the crisis is far from over. The Mediterranean remains both a route of hope and a graveyard for those seeking safety and opportunity in Europe, raising pressing questions about the balance between border control and humanitarian responsibility.