The International Organization for Migration reports nearly 9,000 migrant deaths in 2024, marking the deadliest year on record. Learn about the causes and regions most affected.

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2024 has been declared the deadliest year for migrants, with a tragic toll of at least 8,938 deaths recorded on migration routes worldwide, according to a recent report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This figure surpasses the previous record of 8,747 deaths in 2023, highlighting an alarming trend that has persisted for four consecutive years.

The IOM’s Deputy Director General of Operations expressed deep concern, stating, “The tragedy of the rising number of migrant deaths worldwide is unacceptable and preventable.” Each death represents a devastating human loss, adding emotional weight to the stark statistics.

The report reveals that 2024 has been particularly deadly across nearly all regions. Asia reported the highest number of deaths, with 2,778 cases, followed by Africa with 2,242 and Europe with 233. In the Mediterranean Sea, 2,452 deaths were recorded, reflecting the perilous attempts to reach Europe.

The IOM attributes much of this increase to violence against migrants in transit, particularly in Asia, where nearly 600 lives were lost on migration routes in South and Southeast Asia.

In the Americas, while the final count remains incomplete, at least 1,233 deaths have been documented, including a record 341 in the Caribbean and 174 in the Darién Gap, the treacherous jungle separating Colombia and Panama.

This report underscores the urgent need to address the root causes of forced migration and implement effective measures to protect those seeking a better life. Behind each statistic lie stories of hope and suffering, reminding the world of the human cost of migration.

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