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Frontex - European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders
Frontex - European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders
03/12/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/12/2026 03:12
Frontex: 52% drop in irregular border crossings in the first 2 months of 2026
Severeweather conditions across the key migratory routes into the European Union continued to contribute to the downward trendof irregular border crossings. The number of detections fell sharply in the first two months of 2026, dropping by 52% compared with the same period last year. Nearly 12 000 irregularcrossingswere recorded, according to preliminary data collected by Frontex.
The number of irregular arrivals continues to fall, but the human cost keeps rising. According to the International Organization for Migration , nearly 660people lost their lives in the Mediterranean in the first two months of 2026. Many of these tragedies occurred due to severe weatherconditions. Criminal smuggling networks are well awareof the risks. They send desperate people out on unseaworthy boats regardless, becausethere is money to be made.
Meanwhile, the escalating situation in the Middle East risks fuelling displacement in the region in the coming months. So far, this has not had a noticeable effect on the migratory situation at the EU's external borders. Frontex continues to monitordevelopments closely.
With over 3 000 officers present atthe EU's external borders, Frontex continues to support national authorities in safeguardingEurope's borders and saving lives at sea.
The Eastern Central was the most active migratory route into the EU, with nearly 3 400arrivals recordedin January-February. But thedetections along the route fell by 50% year-on-year.
The Western Mediterraneanand EasternMediterraneanroutes each registering around 1 200 arrivals.
Attempts detected on exit towards the UK across the Channel, which include both those who reached the UK and those prevented from leaving, fell by 12% to nearly 3 900.
* Note: The preliminary data presented in this statement refer to the number of detections of irregular border crossingsat the external borders of the European Union. The same person may cross the border several times in different locationsat the external border.
Frontex - European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders published this content on March 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 12, 2026 at 09:12 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]