Although illegal entries into Europe have generally decreased, the number of Bangladeshis arriving via the Mediterranean has risen.
Frontex reports a 48% increase along the central Mediterranean route in the first two months of this year.
According to Frontex, the Mediterranean route sees the highest number of Bangladeshi migrants entering. In some cases, formal employment contracts are made with smugglers to provide work permits, after which these migrants are pushed onto dangerous paths.
Reports indicate that the largest number of migrants to Europe originate from Mali, Senegal, and Guinea. In terms of ethnicity, the majority of migrants come from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Mali.
In the past two months, the highest number of illegal border crossings have occurred in the western Balkans.
The central Mediterranean route has become the second busiest entry point into Europe, with Libya serving as a key hub for migration to Europe.
To evade authorities, traffickers are using powerful speedboats. The cost of crossing the sea on this route ranges from 5,000 to 8,000 euros per person.
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
