No fewer than 14,100 migrants illegally crossed into the European Union (EU) in April, two per cent more than in March, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency said on Tuesday.
The total number of illegal border crossings by migrants in the first four months fell by 84 per cent from the same period of 2016 to 47,000, according to Frontex’s statement.
Italy continued to face high migratory pressure on three main migratory routes into the EU namely; the Central Mediterranean, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Western Balkans.
The number of migrants arriving in Italy through the Central Mediterranean route in April rose by 19 per cent to 12,900 compared to March.
Nationals from Nigeria, Bangladesh and Cote d’Ivoire accounted for the largest number of migrant arrivals.
The number of migrants coming to the Greek islands dropped to 1,200 in April, which was 68 per cent lower than in April 2016.
Since the EU-Turkey refugee deal came into force in 2016, the refugees crossing the Aegean Sea to the Greek islands had dropped obviously. (Xinhua/NAN)
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