1,300 lives lost at sea: Europe’s Mediterranean still a graveyard for hope

Frontex announced that at least 1,300 migrants have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean during the first nine months of 2025.

According to the agency’s report, from January to the end of September, the Mediterranean has remained a “graveyard for migrants,” despite a 22% decrease in arrivals compared to the previous year.

While the report described these deaths as a tragedy, it failed to address the EU’s continued and deadly cooperation with Libya to intercept and push back migrants at sea.

Frontex’s actions have faced mounting criticism in recent years.

Recent reports reveal that Frontex and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Home Affairs have hosted delegations from Libya in efforts to strengthen joint anti-migration policies.

These collaborations persist even as migrants from sub-Saharan African nations continue to suffer abuse and mistreatment in Libyan detention centers. Meanwhile, Libya’s coast guard has repeatedly fired on NGO rescue vessels operating in the Mediterranean to save lives.

The continuation of Europe’s deadly cooperation with Libya has drawn fierce backlash from human rights groups.

On Saturday, October 18, protests erupted in Rome after at least 20 migrants drowned when their boat capsized in the Mediterranean.

Under a controversial agreement renewed by Italy’s far-right government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy continues to fund and train Libya’s coast guard.

In return, Libya works to block migrant departures or intercept and return those already at sea. The deal is set for renewal next month.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations, recently stated that since 2014, over 32,700 migrants have died in the Mediterranean, turning it into a deadly trap for those seeking safety in Europe.

He added that UN agencies estimate an average of 42 deaths per week along the central Mediterranean route over the past 12 years — with one in five victims being a child.

Dujarric emphasized the need for stronger international cooperation, conflict resolution, and the creation of safe and legal migration channels to reduce reliance on dangerous sea journeys controlled by human smugglers.