The urgent need to migrate in search of better opportunities has tragically resulted in many untimely deaths through illegal migration routes in Africa. According to data from Statista, the Mediterranean remains the most perilous region for refugees, claiming 30,354 lives between 2014 and 2024.

Factors such as poverty and fraud have fueled illegal migration, with many individuals opting for cheaper but perilous routes to escape to more prosperous regions. Unfortunately, these dangerous paths often lead to fatalities or migrants being declared missing. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that over 30,000 people died or went missing between 2014 and September 25, 2024, across the Western, Central, and Eastern Mediterranean routes.

The surge in migration during 2015 and 2016 accounted for 30% of all migrant deaths and disappearances on these routes between 2014 and 2022, according to Statista. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that refugees and migrants from about 20 different African countries "die while crossing the desert or near borders."

In one tragic incident, about 44 migrants were found dead at Agadez in Niger, approximately 1000km from Niamey. The dead migrants were on their way to Europe before being found dead in the desert. In another incident, a wooden boat carrying over 100 illegal migrants from the Senegalese town of Mbour sank after only 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of navigation, resulting in the recovery of about 26 bodies.

Senegal's coastline is a common departure point for African migrants attempting to reach the Spanish Canary Islands, a primary gateway to Europe. In response to the persistent challenges along the Central Mediterranean migration route, the European Commission introduced a comprehensive action plan in November 2022. The plan addresses the critical issues stemming from irregular and unsafe migration, which continue to result in loss of life and humanitarian crises across the region.

The action plan outlines 20 measures aimed at tackling these challenges, focusing on reducing dangerous and unauthorized migration while strengthening coordinated efforts in search and rescue operations. These measures are designed to improve safety and efficiency, ensuring a more organized and humane approach to managing migration in the region.

According to data from Statista, the following routes have been described as the deadliest migration routes between 2014 and 2024: the Mediterranean (30,354 deaths/missing), the Sahara Desert (6,316 deaths/missing), the Atlantic route-Canary Island (4,828 deaths/missing), and the Eastern Route to/from East and Horn of Africa (2,116 deaths/missing). Other dangerous routes include the Afghanistan-Iran corridor, which accounted for 3,092 deaths or missing migrants, and illegal border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico, which resulted in 5,431 deaths and disappearances during the same period.

The alarming statistics highlight the need for urgent action to address the root causes of illegal migration and to develop more humane and efficient approaches to managing migration flows. As the European Commission's action plan demonstrates, a coordinated and comprehensive response is necessary to mitigate the risks and consequences of illegal migration.

In conclusion, the staggering number of lives lost on illegal migration routes in Africa is a stark reminder of the need for collective action to address this pressing global issue. By understanding the complexities and challenges of illegal migration, we can work towards developing more effective and humane solutions to this crisis.