Record Migrant Deaths in 2024, 10% Victims of Violence, Says UN Agency

The number of migrant deaths worldwide reached a record high in 2024, with nearly 9,000 individuals losing their lives while attempting to cross borders, according to a report by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM). The report, released on March 21, highlights the worsening global migration crisis and calls for urgent international action to address the issue.

Record-Breaking Death Toll

The IOM’s Missing Migrants Project recorded 8,565 deaths in 2024, marking the highest annual toll since the initiative began tracking fatalities in 2014. The number represents a significant increase from previous years, with 2023 reporting 7,053 migrant deaths. The UN agency attributes this alarming rise to intensified conflicts, economic instability, climate change, and stricter border enforcement policies that push migrants toward more dangerous routes.

Of particular concern, the report states that at least 10% of the recorded migrant deaths were a result of violent acts, including shootings, beatings, and other forms of physical aggression. The agency has called for better protection mechanisms and accountability measures to prevent further loss of life.

Deadliest Migration Routes

The Mediterranean Sea remains the world’s deadliest migration route, accounting for nearly half of all migrant fatalities in 2024. More than 3,000 people died attempting to reach Europe, often traveling in overcrowded and unseaworthy boats operated by smugglers. The Central Mediterranean route, which connects North Africa to Italy and Malta, was particularly perilous, with a sharp rise in reported shipwrecks.

In the Americas, migration-related deaths surged as well. The treacherous Darién Gap, a jungle corridor between Colombia and Panama frequently used by migrants heading to North America, saw a record number of fatalities. Over 500 migrants died in the region due to exhaustion, drowning, or violence at the hands of criminal groups.

The US-Mexico border also remained a deadly crossing point, with more than 1,000 migrants reported dead in 2024. Extreme heat, dehydration, and drowning in the Rio Grande contributed to the high fatality rate.

Calls for Action

The UN report urges governments worldwide to adopt more humane migration policies and improve rescue operations along dangerous routes. The IOM has also called for better data collection and investigative efforts to identify missing migrants and bring justice to victims of human trafficking and violence.

“We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe that is worsening each year,” said IOM spokesperson Paul Dillon. “More than ever, we need a coordinated response to ensure that people seeking safety and a better life do not die in the process.”

Human rights organizations have echoed these concerns, urging wealthier nations to expand legal migration pathways and increase support for asylum seekers. They also stress the need for international cooperation to address the root causes of migration, including poverty, conflict, and climate change.

As the global community grapples with this escalating crisis, the UN’s findings serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants worldwide and the urgent need for action to prevent further loss of life.



Sources:

• https://www.reuters.com/world/migrant-deaths-hit-record-2024-un-agency-says-2025-03-21/
• https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/21/nearly-9000-migrants-died-last-year-in-record-death-toll-un-agency-says
• https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/21/migrant-deaths-hit-record-number-in-2024-un-agency-says
• https://stratnewsglobal.com/world-news/un-agency-says-migrant-deaths-hit-record-high-in-2024/