IOM data exposes a humanitarian crisis as migrant deaths surge for the third straight year, with Afghans and Rohingya bearing the heaviest losses on land and sea routes.

In a stark reminder of the perils facing people on the move, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has revealed that more than 2,700 migrants from Asia and the Pacific died or disappeared along global migration routes in 2025. The figures, released on Tuesday through the Missing Migrants Project’s annual regional overview, mark the third consecutive year the toll has exceeded 2,000 – underscoring a persistent and escalating tragedy in one of the world’s most active migration corridors.

The Grim Toll: Over 2,700 Deaths and Disappearances

According to the IOM report, at least 2,722 people from Asia-Pacific countries perished or went missing worldwide last year. Of these, Afghans accounted for the largest share, with 1,492 nationals recorded dead or unaccounted for – nearly 55 per cent of the regional total. Nationals from Myanmar, including many Rohingya refugees, formed the second-highest group of victims.

Ninety-one per cent of all recorded deaths occurred within the Asia-Pacific region itself, highlighting how most fatalities happen close to home before migrants even reach distant destinations. A further 251 Asia-Pacific nationals died or vanished on journeys beyond the region, primarily toward or within Europe, including routes across the Mediterranean, Western Africa, and the Western Balkans.

The true number of casualties is almost certainly higher. IOM analysts stress that data from conflict zones, remote deserts, and unregulated sea crossings remain incomplete, describing the published figures as a “minimum estimate.”

Afghans Bear the Brunt on Dangerous Overland Routes

Afghan migrants faced the deadliest conditions, with at least 1,323 deaths logged along the perilous land corridor between Afghanistan and Iran – the primary gateway for those seeking safety or economic opportunity in Turkey and onward to Europe. Additional fatalities occurred during onward travel from Iran into Turkey and amid forced returns from both Iran and Pakistan, where at least 102 deaths were documented.

Most Afghan victims were adult men, though roughly 40 per cent of cases lack age and gender details. Families left behind in Afghanistan continue to search for answers, often with little hope of recovery or closure.

Rohingya Tragedy Unfolds at Sea

While Afghans dominated overland casualties, Rohingya refugees from Myanmar suffered catastrophic losses at sea. More than 800 Rohingya lost their lives or disappeared while attempting the treacherous crossing of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, one of the most dangerous maritime routes in the region.

These journeys, often undertaken in overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels operated by smugglers, have become a recurring nightmare for stateless Rohingya fleeing persecution in Myanmar.

Drowning and Illness Claim the Most Lives

Drowning remained the leading cause of death globally, claiming at least 863 lives – roughly one-third of the total. Illness and lack of access to medical care ranked second, followed by vehicle accidents and hazardous transport conditions. Afghan nationals suffered disproportionately from illness and transport-related incidents, with more than 900 fatalities in these categories combined.

Harsh environmental conditions also took a heavier toll than in previous years. At least 117 migrants died from exposure to extreme cold – more than double the previous year’s figure –  as desperate travellers crossed high-altitude passes and remote deserts without adequate protection.

Violence and mixed or unknown causes accounted for many remaining deaths, painting a picture of journeys marked by exhaustion, exploitation, and indifference.

IOM Issues Urgent Call for Safer Pathways

Dyane Epstein, IOM Deputy Regional Director (Operations) for Asia and the Pacific, described the data as a sobering wake-up call. “These figures remind us that far too many people from the Asia-Pacific region continue to lose their lives while seeking safety or opportunities,” she said.

The organization emphasised that stronger data collection is only the first step. It called for enhanced international cooperation, the creation of accessible safe and regular migration pathways, and greater support for people on the move. Without such measures, the cycle of preventable deaths is likely to continue.

The report also highlighted the far-reaching consequences for families and communities. Each missing person leaves behind parents, spouses, and children grappling with grief, financial ruin, and uncertainty – compounding the trauma already endured in countries of origin.

A Pattern of Persistent Risk

This is now the second straight year in which Asia-Pacific migrant deaths have topped 2,700, following similarly grim records in 2023 and 2024. The consistency suggests systemic failures in border management, smuggling networks, and humanitarian response rather than isolated incidents.

Experts note that irregular migration from Afghanistan has intensified amid ongoing instability, while Rohingya continue to risk everything to escape Myanmar’s crackdown. Climate change, economic despair, and conflict in both countries are driving more people toward increasingly dangerous routes.

As governments and international agencies absorb the latest IOM findings, advocates are pressing for immediate action. Improved search-and-rescue operations, better tracking of missing persons, and legal pathways for refugees and labour migrants are among the most frequently cited solutions.