In just a few days, two tragic incidents involving the deaths of smuggled immigrants occurred that shocked the world. On June 24, at least 23 people died when a large group of people from Morocco tried to cross the border fence into Melilla, a Spanish enclave in North Africa. On June 27, police in San Antonio, Texas, USA discovered 50 bodies in an abandoned container truck.
In the past two years, the number of illegal immigrants worldwide has declined due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. However, as the epidemic gradually eases, the number of people taking the dangerous route of smuggling immigrants has been on the rise, leading many countries to impose strict entry restrictions.
Some experts have warned that strict entry restrictions may lead to an increase in the death toll of illegal immigrants.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency, estimates that since 2014, nearly 50,000 migrants have died or remain unaccounted for while trying to smuggle to destinations such as the United States or the European Union. The agency believes the actual number of deaths and missing persons may be higher.
What are the most dangerous illegal immigration routes in the world? Why are these routes so dangerous?
Nearly 50,000 migrants have died or remain unaccounted for while smuggling into the United States or EU countries since 2014
Mediterranean Central
Arrivals along the Central Mediterranean to Europe are the deadliest in the world, according to The International Organization for Migration Smuggling routes. It is estimated that more than 19,500 people have died since 2014 while trying to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe.
Stowaways often cram into poorly equipped boats and sometimes even travel across the Mediterranean in rubber dinghies. Taking such an unsafe and overloaded stowaway boat is a very dangerous journey, with the possibility of loss of life at any time.
These boats are often operated by criminal gangs and human traffickers.
Tunisia adjacent to Libya is a major distribution point for illegal immigrants leading to Europe. From here, stowaways travel through the central Mediterranean to Europe. There is even a cemetery reserved for stowaways who drowned at sea.
Vicky, a Nigerian migrant hoping to be smuggled into Europe from Tunisia, told AFP during a visit to a cemetery: "It makes me very sad to see these graves here."
Sahara Desert
She also said: "When I saw these graves, I was not sure whether I should continue to cross the sea."
Organizations such as the International Organization for Migration worry that not all immigrants can be persuaded to stay like Vicki.
Safa Msehli, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, said: "Smugglers from the central Mediterranean continue to leave. Most worryingly, the death toll remains high on the world's most dangerous sea lanes. . Due to the lack of concrete action by various countries, people continue to lose their lives on this maritime smuggling route. According to a statistical report by Frontex, the EU border and coast guard agency, nearly 300,000 smugglers have been rescued on this route since 2015. .
Cross-African Route
For many African immigrants, in order to realize their dream of reaching Europe, they must first cross their own continent. On the way to North African countries, it often takes a long time to cross the Sahara Desert.
But the conditions in the Sahara Desert are harsh and dangerous. The International Organization for Migration estimates that 5,400 people will die crossing the Sahara between 2014 and 2022.
Immigrant Abdullah Ibrahim said that he would see people dying in the desert. Some people had run out of strength and could no longer walk, and some had drunk all the water.
Another major threat to migrants comes from the many human trafficking gangs operating in the region.
The International Organization for Migration said in its latest report on the issue: "Violence used by smuggling organizers, human traffickers and border officials in Africa is responsible for a large number of deaths along the Sahara Desert migration route."
United States Mexican border
Although not all stowaways on the illegal immigration route to the Americas enter the United States, the United States is the final destination for most stowaways looking for a place to stay in the Americas.
Crossing the border between the United States and Mexico is fraught with difficulties: the area is known for its inhospitable geography, even a desert. Migrants often try to enter the United States through the dangerous Rio Grande on the border between the two countries.
There are many paths for illegal immigrants on the U.S.-Mexico border, but some cross the border on foot.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death on this route. The International Organization for Migration estimates that more than 3,000 people have died along this route since 2014.
People who choose to hide in vehicles and cross the border to avoid natural dangers will face different dangers. The reason for the illegal immigration tragedy in San Antonio is an example.
International Organization for Migration spokesperson Safa Msehli said: "Recently, there have been a large number of other deaths on the smuggling routes to the United States."
In December 2021, in Chiapas, Mexico 56 Stowaways died when the truck they were traveling in crashed.
Asian routes
The International Organization for Migration said that at least 4 out of every 10 immigrants globally in 2020 were born in Asia, and the Asian continent has several major migration routes.
Illegal immigrants take unsafe barges through the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe, and dangers occur at any time.
According to the International Organization for Migration, nearly 5,000 people have died or disappeared while smuggling across Asia in the past eight years.
Most of the dead were Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants. They reach neighboring countries via maritime routes across the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, and even try to reach Europe.
The extreme difficulties they faced during this smuggling process may be unimaginable.
Rohingya refugee Muhammad Ilyas, a 37-year-old Rohingya refugee, was rescued by the Indian Navy after his boat broke down at sea. He told reporters, "We are very hungry. I am also very thirsty. There is no water to drink. There is no food, not even rice. We can't eat. It has been like this for a month at sea."
and other routes Likewise, these immigrants are often exploited by gangs of human traffickers. Another problematic route is the border between Iran and Turkey, which has seen an unprecedented influx of Afghan migrants since the Taliban took power last August.
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) says more than 2 million Afghans are registered as refugees in Iran and surrounding countries.
Migrants from southern Africa must cross the Sahara Desert to reach northern Africa.
