Irregular border crossings into EU fall significantly, Frontex reports

The European Union's border agency, Frontex, has recorded a significant drop in irregular border crossings into the bloc. In the first seven months of this year, the EU registered 61,000 unauthorized entries, marking a 37 percent decrease compared to the same period last year. The agency released these preliminary figures from its base in Warsaw.

Frontex acknowledged that these numbers are based on preliminary data and do not fully reflect the "exceptional events" that occurred at the EU's external border in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Spanish government figures indicated that at one point, approximately 80,000 people entered Ceuta at the end of July, while Morocco reported around 40,000 arrivals, with 83 fatalities during the incident. This event triggered discussions about the protection of the EU's external borders and Spain's responsibilities.

The Mediterranean Sea continues to be the main corridor for migrants attempting to reach Europe by boat. According to Frontex data, the routes across the Eastern Mediterranean (from Turkey to Greece) and the Central Mediterranean (from Libya and Tunisia to Italy and Malta) collectively accounted for 60 percent of all registered irregular entries. Both of these primary routes saw a notable decline in crossings during the reporting period.

However, the situation presented a contrasting trend on the migration route across the Western Mediterranean to Spain. Frontex reported a significant increase of 37 percent in irregular entries via this route. The data highlights the dynamic and shifting patterns of migration flows towards the European Union.

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61,000 unauthorized entries meant a decrease of 37 percent compared to the previous year's period.