During the first four months of 2023, Frontex has detected a significant increase in illegal migrants entering the EU by sea from Tunisia. The increase is 11 times greater than in the same period of the previous year, while illegal border crossings via the Mediterranean route have tripled.
The Dutch director of Frontex Hans Leijtens predicts “a hot summer”: “I’ve never seen this before.”
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Between January and May, 42,200 illegal migrants entered the EU via Malta and Italy, mainly from Tunisia and Libya. According to Leijtens, this is the highest number since Frontex began recording this data in 2009.
Especially the influx from Tunisia has increased significantly. Most migrants come from countries south of the Sahara, an increase of 1100% from last year.
The increase is said to be partly due to people smugglers who have started using cheap but decidedly unseaworthy metal boats. The cost of a one-way EU trip has dropped to 500 euros.
