2200 Dead or Missing in Mediterranean Sea in 2024

In 2024, more than 2200 people have been missing in the Mediterranean Sea, with 1700 victims in the central Mediterranean alone. These are the findings of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) following the latest tragedy off the coast of Lampedusa, Italy, when a small boat out of Zuwara, Libya, capsized and sank, killing 20 people, including women and children.

“One in five of all people who migrate through the Mediterranean are minors. Most of them are fleeing violent conflict and poverty,” explains Regina De Dominicis, Director of UNICEF’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia. De Dominicis also called on governments to utilize the Migration and Asylum Pact: “This includes guaranteeing safe and legal pathways for protection and family reunification (of children – Ed.), as well as coordinated search and rescue operations, safe landings, EU-level reception, and access to asylum services.” The UNICEF chief also explains that “governments must address the root causes of migration and support the integration of families into host communities, ensuring that children’s rights are protected at every stage of their journey.”