Illegal entries on the Central Mediterranean route increased to almost 42,200 in the period January-April 2023. The route represents "just over half of irregular crossings in the EU so far this year" Organised crime groups "are taking advantage of political volatility in some countries of departure to increase the number of migrants transporting across EU borders," Frontex said.
The Central Mediterranean led the entire 28% increase in total surveys this year while the other seven main routes recorded declines ranging from 7% to 47%.