Sarajevo, 19 October 2026, dtt-net.com – Compared to January-September 2025 period, the number of irregular border crossings through Western Balkans region to the EU territory in same period 2026 dropped for 27%, and was 6687 respectively, according to the new data by EU’s border agency FRONTEX. At the same time 2000 of vulnerable illegal migrants lost their live in the Mediterranean trying to reach EU territory hoping for a better life. Preliminary data say the total number of irregular border crossings recorded to the EU from all 6 routes (Eastern borders, Western Balkans, Eastern Mediterranean, Central Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean and Western African) during the 10-month period this year was over 91 000, which one-third less than same period 2025, according to a press release of today.
“The decline on nearly all of the major migratory routes reflects sustained cooperation with partner countries and preventive measures in key departure states, which continue to reduce the number of boats setting out towards Europe. ,” FRONTEX said.
According to agency, the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Mediterranean remained the busiest routes, together accounting for around 60% of all irregular entries into the EU.
The Central Mediterranean recorded a 56% decline.
The Western Mediterranean was the only major route to register an increase, up by 26% for the nine-month period.
The Western African Detections on the Western African route rose sharply in September, although the route remains down by 45% over the nine months.
The overall number of irregular arrivals continues to fall, but the human cost remains high, FRONTEX recalled.
It said that according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) nearly 2 000 people have lost their lives in the Mediterranean so far this year.
“Each of these deaths is a reminder of the risks people are pushed to take. Smuggling networks continue to send them to sea in overcrowded and unseaworthy boats, whatever the conditions,” the EU agency, with 3800 border guards sent to the European bloc’s external borders, said.
