The Central Mediterranean has been labeled the “world’s most dangerous migration route” as more and more migrants risk their lives attempting to reach Europe. The European border agency, Frontex, reported over 89,000 detections in the first seven months of 2023, more than double the previous year and the highest on record since 2017. Simultaneously, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recorded over 1,800 migrant deaths in the Central Mediterranean so far this year, surpassing the total death toll for 2022. These figures are believed to be an underestimation since many shipwrecks go unrecorded and the real death toll is likely much higher.
Various factors contribute to the danger of this migration route, including badly designed and overcrowded boats, stormy weather, and gaps in international efforts. Migrants typically travel on unseaworthy boats, such as rubber rafts, fishing vessels, and metal boats that pose a higher risk of capsizing in stormy seas. The situation is exacerbated by “greedy people smugglers” using metal boats to offer discounted crossings and launching dozens of boats with overcrowded passengers at once.
The journey across the Central Mediterranean is seasonal, with a surge in attempts during the summer months. However, unpredictable weather and rough seas make successful journeys challenging. Even bad weather doesn’t deter smugglers from sending people out to sea, as witnessed by recent boat capsizes near the island of Lampedusa in rough seas. Poor weather conditions also make it difficult to spot boats in distress, further complicating search and rescue efforts.
Experts argue that national governments govern search and rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean, with NGO vessels facing regulation. Critics argue that search and rescue efforts are no longer proactive, comprehensive, or adequately resourced, leading to delays in rescue and a lack of response to distress calls. NGOs operating in the area claim that a reckless policy of deterrence and neglect by European states has turned the Central Mediterranean into a deadly route. They accuse the EU of willingly creating a cemetery and raise concerns about “illegal pullbacks” conducted by the Libyan coastguard, which the EU has supported.
In response to the rising number of casualties, the EU has signed a deal with Tunisia to reduce irregular migration. However, NGOs criticize a new law in Italy requiring rescue vessels to head to distant ports rather than continue patrolling for more boats in distress, reducing their effectiveness in areas prone to shipwrecks. The Italian government argues that this measure aims to spread arrivals across the country, while critics claim it hinders rescue efforts.
Experts and international organizations are calling for coordinated European search-and-rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean and the development of safer legal pathways for migration and asylum. The European Commission defends its efforts to enhance search and rescue coordination and deter smugglers. They believe these measures will break the business model of smugglers and traffickers. In the meantime, the Central Mediterranean remains a perilous route, and migrants continue to risk their lives in search of a better future in Europe.