The number of detections of irregular
border crossings at the European Union's external borders rose
by 18% in the first eight months of 2023 to over 232,350, the
highest total for the January-August period since 2016,
according to preliminary data released by the EU border agency
Frontex on Thursday. .
The increase was driven primarily by the number of arrivals
through the Central Mediterranean, which remains the main
migratory route into the EU and accounts for one of every two
detections at EU borders.
The number of irregular crossings on this route - 114562 - rose
by 96% compared to the first eight months of 2022, Frontex said.
The agency added that the pressure from Tunisia and Libya "could
persist in the coming months".
Italy has borne the brunt of arrivals, with the tiny Sicilian
island of Lampedusa under particular strain.
Photo: New arrivals on Lampedusa receive food from the parish
church.
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