News

Italy remained under steady migratory pressure as 23 000 migrants arrived there in August, close to the number from the same month of last year.

The total number of migrants detected on the Central Mediterranean route in the first eight months of the year reached 117 900, also close to the figure from the same period of 2015. Libya is by far the main country of departure.

Nigerians continued to account for the largest share of migrants on this route, followed by nationals of Eritrea and Bangladesh.

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

The number of migrants detected on the Greek islands in the eastern Aegean remained well below the record levels from last year. In August, the figure dropped to 3 430, down 97% compared to the same month of last year. However, August also saw a first noticeable monthly increase since the EU-Turkey statement came into effect and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia applied stricter border policies at its border with Greece. In July, the number of detections stood at 2 030.

Nationals of Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq accounted for most of the new arrivals in Greece last month.

WESTERN BALKANS

On the Western Balkans route, the number of detections in August roughly reached 1 800 -- just a fraction of the monthly totals from the beginning of the year. Afghanis, Pakistanis and Syrians continued to be the most represented nationalities on this route.

This flow has been further reduced in September after Frontex deployed additional officers to Bulgaria and Hungary instituted stricter controls at its borders.

Note:

The data presented in this statement refer to the number of detections of illegal border-crossing at the external borders of the European Union. The same person may attempt to cross the border irregularly several times in different locations at the external border.