The number of illegal entries into the EU reaches a record

In the statement made by Frontex, it was recalled that the number of illegal border entries increased to 330,000 in 2022, reaching the highest level since 2016.

In the first three months of this year, the most used route for entries was the Central Mediterranean. 27,651 people entered EU countries through this route. This was recorded as an increase of 305 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. Citizens of Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Pakistan were the most illegal crossers of the central Mediterranean route.

The number of people entering from the Western Balkans, which is the second route, decreased by 22 percent to 14,858. This route was used mainly by Syrians and Afghans.

The number of those coming from the Eastern Mediterranean, in third place, decreased by 8 percent to 6,011. Syrians, Palestinians and Afghans use the eastern Mediterranean route the most.

Frontex noted that illegal entries into EU countries increased by 26 percent in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period of the previous year and amounted to 54 thousand. (AA)