27% drop in irregular border crossings through W. Balkans to the EU, with 2000 migrant fatalities in Mediterranean while seeking better life

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.