Mediterranean Crossings Of African Migrants Almost Double

Irregular arrivals of migrants in Italy via the Mediterranean from North Africa amounted to almost 114,300 between January and August, almost twice as many as in the same period in 2022, according to figures by Frontex.

In a statement, Frontex said increased migratory pressure on this route could persist in the coming months, with smugglers lowering prices for migrants leaving from Libya and Tunisia, in a context of fierce competition between criminal groups.

Along with Libya, Tunisia is the departure point for thousands of migrants who cross the central Mediterranean towards Europe and arrive in Italy, mainly consisting of Ivorians , Egyptians and Guineans.

The EU coast and border guard agency have noted that this very dangerous migration route has accounted for half of irregular arrivals in the EU so far this year.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 2,000 people have died or gone missing since the start of the year attempting this crossing,

The Italian government, for its part, says nearly 126,000 migrants had arrived on Italian shores since the start of the year, compared to 66,000 during the same period last year.

Located less than 150 km from the Tunisian coast, the Italian island of Lampedusa is facing an influx of migrants in recent days: it has welcomed more than 7,000 people, the equivalent of the entire local population.

In July, in the presence of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the EU signed a partnership with Tunisia in order to reduce the number of migrant arrivals from this country, providing for aid worth several hundred million euros.

But the agreement arouses controversy, due to the authoritarian drift of Tunisian power and the abuses perpetrated against sub-Saharan migrants in this country.