A staggering 72,000 migrant deaths and disappearances have been recorded globally since 2014, with 2023 marking the deadliest year ever for those fleeing conflict and disaster. The UN’s latest findings paint a grim picture of the risks faced by vulnerable communities worldwide 🌍.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 8,938 people died on migration routes last year alone. Central Mediterranean crossings remain the most lethal, claiming 25,000 lives in a decade—many lost after departing war-torn Libya 🚨.
"These numbers are a wake-up call," said IOM Chief Amy Pope, urging nations to invest in safer migration pathways. The report highlights harrowing journeys: 5,000+ deaths from Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, 3,100+ Rohingya fatalities (many in shipwrecks), and countless disappearances in the Sahara Desert 🌏💔.
Julia Black, lead author of the IOM report, warned that data gaps in conflict zones mean the true toll is likely far higher. "Migrants are falling through the cracks," she said, stressing the need for global cooperation to protect lives.
