In just the first two months of this year, at least 606 migrants have died while trying to cross the Mediterranean, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This alarming statistic reflects a rise in deaths compared to previous years and is attributed mainly to the tightening of immigration control policies by European nations. The IOM has cautioned that the actual number of fatalities could be even higher due to unreported missing persons cases, indicating a severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in this region.

Despite a dramatic decrease in the number of registered migrants in Italy, which fell from 6,358 in the first two months of last year to just 2,465 during the same period this year, the number of deaths has surged. Analysts suggest that this discrepancy is caused by a shift in the European Union’s approach, moving from rescue operations to enhanced border surveillance and strict immigration enforcement. Under the leadership of the far-right Giorgia Meloni, Italy is implementing measures that suppress the activities of humanitarian organizations attempting to rescue migrants in perilous conditions at sea, leading to calls for urgent reforms.

Human rights advocates argue that as law enforcement escalates, migrants are increasingly forced to take riskier routes to evade capture, resulting in greater mortality rates. Additionally, reports indicate that smugglers are coercing migrants onto unseaworthy vessels, leading to tragic outcomes such as 'ghost ship' disappearances, where desperate individuals seek help but find themselves lost to the sea. The IOM's concerns underline the urgent need for policy changes that prioritize safe routes for migration to prevent further loss of life in the Mediterranean.