-
.
- Ελληνικά
The Eastern Mediterranean migration corridor was the third most active in the first five months of 2022, according to preliminary estimates by Frontex, with a significant part of the migratory traffic coming from Cyprus.
The largest number of arrivals in the same period was recorded in the Western Balkans corridor (40,675 persons, about half of the EU total), the Central Mediterranean (16,828 persons) and the Eastern Mediterranean (13,668 persons).
In particular, in the Eastern Mediterranean the number of persons detected increased by 116% compared to the same period last year.
The number in Cyprus increased by 213% over the same period, accounting for two thirds of the transits in the region (9,230 individuals).
Most migrants in the Eastern Mediterranean corridor came from Nigeria, Syria and Congo (Kinshasa).
Meanwhile, in May, the number of irregular migrants increased by 55%, reaching 2,226 in the region.
Western Balkans and Central Mediterranean
[/P]As for the Western Balkans, the number of irregular crossings more than doubled in the first five months of 2022, compared to the same period last year.
As noted, most of these individuals came from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey, and the majority had been in the region for some time before deciding to cross to the EU. In May, Frontex notes, the number of irregular migrants more than doubled to 12,088.
In the Central Mediterranean, activity remained stable with around 16,828 irregular crossings, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year. Most of them came from Egypt, Bangladesh and Tunisia. The number of irregular migrants in May stood at 6,066, a similar level to last year.
82% increase overall in the EU
Irregular arrivals at the EU's external borders totalled 86,420 in January-May, an increase of 82% compared to the same period last year.
Some 23,500 illegal crossings were recorded in May, an increase of 75% compared to the same month last year.
As noted, the data does not include the number of people crossing into the EU from Ukraine via legal crossing points. According to the latest Frontex data, over 5.5 million Ukrainian citizens have reached the EU from Ukraine and Moldova since the start of the invasion in February.
Meanwhile, the number of illegal crossings at the EU's eastern border has quadrupled compared to last year, reaching 2,155 people, most of them citizens of Ukraine, Iraq and Belarus. In May, 207 persons were detected, an increase of 67% compared to last year.
Finally, crossings on both sides of the Channel, mainly to the UK, increased by 122%. As noted, these crossings usually peak between June and November. In 2022, people of more than 46 nationalities were recorded, with Albanian citizens showing a large increase since mid-April.
Source: CNA
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
