Significant increase in migration flow to Europe
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has observed an increase in immigration traffic to the EU, which from the point of view of security increases the risk of unwanted persons entering the Schengen area (FTF).
Frontex estimates that illegal migration has increased by about 1/3 compared to 2020, and even multiplied four times in April.
The analysis of the main migration directions indicated that in January-April 2021 4,500 migrants travelled to the Canary Islands from West Africa, doubling the total number of migrants for 2020. A similar percentage was noted on the Central Mediterranean route.
The Mediterranean Eastern Route, on the other hand, noted a twelve-fold increase in April 2021, with a decrease of 58% between January and April.
The Western Balkans remains an attractive transit route. In April Frontex noted a 33-fold increase in the number of attempts to illegally cross the border, and in the period January-April, the total number of migrants doubled compared to 2020.
More information: https://frontex.europa.eu/media-centre/news/news-release/situation-at-eu-external-borders-detections-rise-from-record-lows-a-year-ago-b8r59Y