249 Dead in Central Mediterranean So Far in 2025: IOM
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At least 249 people have died while attempting to cross the Central Mediterranean Sea so far this year, the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration said.
Another 226 migrants remain missing as of June 14, according to the agency’s latest data. The Central Mediterranean, which spans from North Africa to Southern Europe, remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
From 8 to 14 June 2025, 635 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya.
The IOM also reported that 10,634 people have been intercepted at sea and returned to Libya during the same period. Of those, 9,124 were men, 1,001 were women and 364 were minors. The gender of 145 individuals was not specified.
The agency, headquartered in Geneva, has warned repeatedly of deteriorating conditions along this route. Migrants and refugees, many fleeing conflict, poverty or persecution, often face overcrowded boats, poor weather and limited rescue operations.
The IOM called for more coordinated international search-and-rescue efforts and increased legal pathways for migration. It also urged governments and partners to improve protections for those intercepted and returned to detention centers in Libya, where conditions have long been criticized by humanitarian groups.
The number of deaths and disappearances underscores the growing human cost of irregular migration across the Mediterranean. Human rights organizations have also criticized current migration policies for prioritizing border control over humanitarian concerns.
Founded in 1951, the IOM operates in more than 100 countries and is a leading source of migration data and policy advice for governments and international agencies.
