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Story summary
- In January 2026, at least 699 migrants died fleeing their homes, the deadliest January on record, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
- Dangerous weather and inadequate boats contributed, with 533 Mediterranean fatalities in 2026.
- The International Rescue Committee (IRC) criticized the decline in safe migration pathways, urging governments to invest in humane, accessible asylum systems to prevent further loss of life.
