(Refugee) migrations to Europe in January 2022


Johan Leman, 5 February 2022

According to UNHCR estimates, approximately 6,000 (refugee) migrants reached the EU by sea or land in January 2022. This is more than in January 2021 where 4664 people were involved. In order of numbers, Italy, Spain, Greece and Cyprus received the most, and – again in order – Tunisians, Egyptians, Bangladeshis, Syrians and Iranians were the migrants concerned.

According to an estimate by the IOM, 108 migrants drowned at sea in January 2022. The Tunisian coastguard was able to rescue 21 migrants at sea on 14 January, who were on their way to Europe. Again off Tunisia, at least 11 migrants lost their lives in a shipwreck on 21 January.

On 25 and 26 January, 18 people are thought to have lost their lives during some of the crossings to the Canary Islands, while 319 were rescued, including 59 women and 24 children.

Closer to home, on 14 January, a dinghy carrying about 30 migrants bound for the UK capsized in the Channel. The UK coastguard was able to rescue almost all but one.

The EU country that received the most asylum requests in January was Cyprus, which received 700 requests in the first 3 weeks.

In terms of forced return to country of origin, on 25 January 40 Albanians were repatriated by charter from Madrid to Tirana, with stopover in Rome. This was organised by Frontex.

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