The tragedies of irregular migration across the Central Mediterranean route persist, with Libyan shores remaining a perilous launching point for deadly voyages, the cost of which is paid in lives by migrants searching for security and opportunity.
A recent, heartbreaking shipwreck has once again illuminated this crisis, as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) issued fresh warnings about the ongoing lethal threats along this maritime corridor.
Details of the Latest Shipwreck off Sabratha
The International Organization for Migration conveyed its deep sorrow following the sinking of a wooden boat on Tuesday morning off the coast of the Libyan city of Sabratha. The vessel, which had departed from Zuwara carrying dozens of migrants, capsized due to rough seas and high waves.
Survivors: 64 people were rescued and safely brought ashore.
Missing Persons: 18 people were lost in this tragedy, which adds to the register of fatal drownings in the central Mediterranean.
Survivors’ Nationalities: The list of survivors included 29 Sudanese men, a Sudanese woman and child, 18 Bangladeshi men, 12 Pakistani men, and three Somali men.
Dangers of the Central Route and International Appeals
The IOM stressed that this incident serves as a stark reminder of the grave dangers migrants face during their desperate attempts to cross the sea. The report confirms that the Central Mediterranean route remains the deadliest globally.
Casualty Statistics (2025): More than 1,046 deaths or disappearances have been recorded on this route since the start of 2025, with 527 of those incidents occurring off the Libyan coast.
Organisational Efforts: The organisation is working with its local partners to provide healthcare, psychosocial support, and essential services to the survivors.
Calls to Action: The IOM renewed its appeal for enhanced regional cooperation and the expansion of safe and regulated migration pathways, in addition to ensuring that effective and coordinated search and rescue operations are carried out to save lives at sea.
Shift in Migration Routes and Arrival Statistics in Europe
A recent UN report on mixed migration from North Africa to Europe for the third quarter of 2025 indicated a continuation of migrant flows, but noted a relative downturn in the numbers leaving Libya, set against a clear increase in departures from Tunisia and Algeria.
Arrivals in Italy: As of 28 September 2025, Italy registered 49,799 migrant arrivals, marking a 1% increase from the previous year.
Decrease in Departures from Libya: Departures from Libya fell by 8% over the same period.
Increase in Departures from Algeria: The number of departures from Algeria rose by 98% compared to the previous quarter (544 individuals), suggesting a gradual transformation in migration routes due to intensifying security restrictions in Libya and Tunisia.
Nationalities Arriving in Italy: Bangladeshis headed the list of arriving nationalities (31%), followed by Eritreans, then Egyptians, Pakistanis, and Sudanese.
Deportation and Detention: The expansion of deportation and detention campaigns in eastern Libya has reportedly forced many migrants to depart before they could be apprehended.
Western Front: The western Mediterranean façade (from Algeria and Morocco) became the main route to Spain for the first time since 2020, exceeding the numbers reaching the Canary Islands.
Arrivals in Greece: A 318% increase was recorded in arrivals from Libya to the Greek island of Crete, prompting Athens to suspend asylum procedures for North African arrivals and begin cooperating with the Libyan coast guard.
Growing Migrant Population within Libya and Changing Regional Policies
The report highlighted an increase in the number of migrants residing inside Libya, reaching 867,000 people by April 2025, a 19% rise from the previous year.
Registered Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Their recorded number exceeded 101,000 people, with Sudanese nationals constituting 80% of this total.
Shift in Regional Policies: The tightening of security measures in eastern Libya and Tunisia, alongside the new security agreement between Italy and Turkey to combat irregular migration from Libya, reflects a shift in regional policies towards migration management, occurring amid heightened human rights concerns over forced returns and abuses against migrants.
