Rabat – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) recently released data showing that Mediterranean migrant arrivals have reached 19,830 in 2019.
There has been a 30% decrease from the 28,325 Mediterranean arrivals of this time last year, in 2018.
Deaths of irregular immigrants have reached 512, compared to last years’ 638. Though the data reflects the entire Mediterranean region, these numbers would support the claims that Morocco is cracking down on irregular immigration.
The IOM reports that irregular immigration rate to Spain is 7,666, roughly the same as the 8,150 immigrants this time last year.
Greece is proving to be a more common destination for irregular immigrants as irregular arrivals in Greece this year are nearly 1,000 greater than Spain, at 9,430. Regardless, the arrivals are fewer than they were this time last year.
The report adds, “arrivals to both Spain and Greece account for 86 percent of all arrivals, with the balance arriving this year in Italy, Malta, and Cyprus.”
The reason Spain and Greece account for so much is most likely Italy’s numbers. Irregular immigration to Italy, meanwhile, is down by nearly 9,000, at 13,61 this year from the 10,775 last year.
Cypress is up at 980, while last year it was at 37.
Last years’ Malta numbers are unreported.
Read also: Morocco Thwarts More Than 30,000 Irregular Migration Attempts in 2019
