Illegal crossings of EU external borders at highest since 2016

Migrants using life jackets attempt to cross the Channel Canal from France on March 15, 2022. © Sameer al-Doumy / AFP

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Illegal crossings of the external borders of the European Union by migrants increased sharply in the first quarter of 2022, according to figures published on Tuesday April 19 by the European agency Frontex.

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From January to March 2022, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency detected more than 40,300 illegal crossings at the EU's external borders.

This is an increase of 57% compared to the same period of 2021. In the first quarter of 2016, in the wake of the 2015 migration crisis, these irregular crossings had reached 284,525.

For the month of March 2022, they increased by 29% (nearly 11,700) compared to March 2021, underlines the Frontex agency, specifying that a crossing can be carried out several times by the same person.

For the Eastern Mediterranean area, they more than doubled (+132%, more than 7,000) compared to the first quarter of 2021, in particular via Cyprus where Frontex reports a tripling (more than 5,100) during the first three months compared to the first quarter of last year.

These crossings are mainly made by Nigerians and Congolese, specifies the European agency.

The Western Balkan route accounts for almost half of irregular crossings with an increase of 115% (more than 18,300 with a tripling in March to 6,650).

These are mainly Syrian and Afghan migrants.

The West African route saw an increase of 70% (around 850).

The number of irregular migrants who attempted to cross the Channel into England in the first quarter tripled compared to the same period of 2021: around 8,900, up 190%.

Half were prevented from attempting the crossing and the other half were rescued at sea.

For the land borders on the eastern flank of the EU, illegal crossings increased eightfold to more than 950, mainly in March (more than 600) after the outbreak of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, due to people fleeing the war who did not go through the regular border posts, according to Frontex.

“

 the EU legally,” the agency points out.

(

AFP)

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• European Union

• International Migrations