Frontex: Irregular Crossings into EU Drop 42% in 2024 

Detected irregular crossings into the European Union fell by 42% in the first nine months of 2024, VOA reported yesterday citing the EU border agency Frontex.

The total number of crossings decreased to 166,000 compared to the same period last year. Notably, the Western Balkans route saw a staggering 79% decline, with nearly 17,000 asylum seekers crossing, while the Central Mediterranean route recorded a 64% drop, with 47,700 crossings.

In contrast, the Western African route experienced a surge, doubling to over 30,600 crossings. The eastern land borders of the EU, particularly Poland, also saw a significant increase, with almost 13,200 crossings—a 192% rise from January to September 2023.

As EU leaders prepare for a summit in Brussels, immigration remains a key agenda item. Poland and the Czech Republic have called for stricter EU restrictions, advocating for tougher measures than those outlined in the bloc’s new migration pact set to take effect in 2026.