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🇮🇹 Italy /Crime & Justice

Frontex reports 37% drop in irregular EU border crossings in first seven months of 2026

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Irregular border crossings into the EU fell by 37% in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the same period last year.
  • The Eastern Mediterranean route remains the most frequented, though the Western Mediterranean saw a 37% increase in crossings.
  • Frontex attributes the overall decline to cooperation with partner countries and preventive measures in departure nations.

Irregular border crossings into the European Union have decreased significantly, with a 37% drop recorded in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Preliminary data from Frontex indicates approximately 61,000 detections, excluding exceptional events at Ceuta, Spain, in late July.

The Eastern Mediterranean route continues to be the most active, accounting for 20,232 detections, a 28% decrease. The Central Mediterranean route saw a 55% reduction, with 16,454 detections. In contrast, the Western Mediterranean is the only major route experiencing an increase, with 11,217 crossings, up 37%.

Combined, the Eastern and Central Mediterranean routes represent about 60% of irregular entries detected at the EU's external borders. Libya remains the primary departure country for the Central Mediterranean route. For the Western Mediterranean, sea crossings numbered 8,648 compared to 7,096 in the same period of 2025, and land crossings reached 2,569 by June 30, up from 1,079.

In controtendenza il Mediterraneo occidentale, unica grande rotta in aumento, con 11.217 attraversamenti, +37%.

— FrontexHighlighting the increase in crossings via the Western Mediterranean route.

The most substantial decrease was observed on the West African route, with 4,682 detections, a 60% drop. The Western Balkans route saw 4,910 crossings (-26%), and the Eastern land border recorded 3,209 (-44%). Frontex attributes the overall decline to ongoing cooperation with partner countries and preventive measures implemented in key departure nations.

Separately, attempts to cross the English Channel to the United Kingdom decreased by 46% to 22,469. Frontex clarifies these are counted as departures from the EU and are not included in the total EU border entries. The agency noted that these figures, based on preliminary Eurosur information and Frontex estimates as of August 4, may be subject to revision.

Separatamente, i tentativi e gli attraversamenti riusciti della Manica verso il Regno Unito sono diminuiti del 46%, a 22.469.

— FrontexInformation on Channel crossings to the UK.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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