Illegal EU border crossings drop 42%
(VOVWORLD) - The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) on Tuesday Monday reported a 42% drop in illegal border crossings into the European Union (EU) during the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with 166,000 recorded cases.
Frontex highlighted the sharpest decline along the Western Balkans and Central Mediterranean routes. Nearly 17,000 people crossed via the Western Balkans, marking a 79% drop, while about 47,700 entered through the Central Mediterranean, down 64%. In contrast, the number of crossings along the West African route surged, doubling to over 30,600 in the same period.
These figures come just ahead of an EU leaders' summit in Brussels this weekend, where immigration will be a top agenda.