On 16 September, the IOM said that 17,402 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya thus far in 2025, with 456 deaths and 420 people missing. 1,161 people were intercepted and brought back from 7 to 13 September 2025 alone.
According to Frontex data, irregular entries into the European Union dropped by 21% in the first eight months of 2025, reaching 112,375 according to preliminary figures from Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The Central Mediterranean remains the busiest route, accounting for 37% of all irregular entries, with 41,898 entries in 2025 to the end of August. This figure is broadly in line with the numbers entering via this route this time last year. Frontex reported that Libya remains the main departure point, where smuggling networks are increasingly using speedboats to maximise profits and avoid detection.
The number of irregular crossings detected in the Eastern Mediterranean fell 18% to around 32 000. At the same time, it noted Crete has experienced a sharp rise in migratory pressure, with detections increasing by more than 310% compared to last year. However, rough seas reduced overall numbers in August.