More than 606 migrants dead or missing in Mediterranean since start of year

At least 606 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean Sea since the beginning of 2026, the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday.

“This marks the deadliest start to a year in the Mediterranean since IOM began recording such data in 2014,” the agency added on its website page. 

An IOM spokesperson said at least 30 people were reported dead or missing after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Crete Island on Saturday as it was heading to Greece in bad weather.  

Greek authorities said they had recovered the bodies of three men and one woman. Four vessels are continuing to search for survivors.

READ: UN says 53 migrants dead or missing after boat sinks off Libya

The boat was carrying migrants, most of them from Sudan and Egypt, including four minors.

On Saturday, Greek officials said a commercial ship had been dispatched to assist the boat near the port of Kali Limenes on Crete.

The IOM said the vessel had set sail on 19 February from the Libyan city of Tobruk, around 170 nautical miles away, and sank about 20 nautical miles off Crete.

Last year saw an increase in migrant departures from Libya, as people attempted to reach Crete, the Greek island which is part of the European Union.

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