The number of illegal migrants entering the European Union has surged to the highest level since the 2016 migration crisis, according to Frontex.
New data released by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency shows the continent is in the midst of another major invasion, amid a slew of other existential threats looming on the horizon.
More than 228,240 ‘irregular entries’ were recorded across six major ‘routes’ through the first nine months of 2022, a 70% increase over the same period last year and the highest tally since 2016.
🆕In the first nine months of this year, about 228 240 irregular entries were detected at EU’s external borders, up 70% compared with the same period of last year.
It’s the highest total recorded for the first three quarters of the year since 2016 ⬇️https://t.co/ut56OXWtnK pic.twitter.com/uDcoa8ybmX
— Frontex (@Frontex) October 14, 2022
The Western Balkan route is experiencing the most overall traffic, as well as the highest rate of increase (170%), with just shy of 106,400 illegal migrants detected.
The Eastern Mediterranean route has also seen a massive surge in illegal migration (118%), along with the Central Mediterranean route (42%).
While the Western Mediterranean route has seen a decline in traffic (-34%), more than 104,000 illegal migrants have entered Europe via the Med.
The vast majority of migrants illegally entering Europe hail from Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asian countries where Islam is the dominant religion.
Read More: EU Illegal Migration Hits Highest Level Since 2016 Crisis