At least 8,500 people perish worldwide in land, see migration attempts in 2023

In 2023, the International Organization for Migration reported the highest number of migrant deaths in a decade, with at least 8,565 deaths on land and sea routes worldwide, the Associated Press reported.

The largest increase occurred on the Mediterranean Sea crossing, with 3,129 deaths, the organization said, adding that most of the deaths were due to drowning.

The biggest jump in deaths in recent years happened in Asia, with death toll at 2,138, primarily among Afghans and Rohingya refugees.

Additionally, a record number of deaths occurred in Africa, 1,866 lives lost, mostly in the Sahara Desert and along the sea route to the Canary Islands.