RIGA, May 16 (LETA) - The number of irregular border crossings into the European Union continued to fall in the first four months of 2026, with detections down by 40 percent compared with the same period last year, according to preliminary data collected by the EU border control agency Frontex.

Just over 28,500 crossings were recorded in the first four months of 2026. The decline reflects a combination of factors, including sustained cooperation with partner countries, preventive measures in key departure states and difficult weather conditions earlier in the year, Frontex informs.

The Eastern Land Border saw around 1,100 detections, a fall of 49 percent. However, pressure from Belarus resumed sharply in March after a quieter start to the year, driven by better weather and recent legislative changes easing access to the border zone.

On the EU-Ukrainian border, crossings primarily involved Ukrainian men seeking to avoid military conscription.

The Central Mediterranean was the busiest route in the first four months of the year, with around 8 500 arrivals recorded, a decline of 46 percent compared with the same period last year. Libya remained the main departure point, accounting for the vast majority of crossings on this route. Political dynamics in countries of departure and origin, as well as preventive measures by the Libyan authorities, continued to shape the flow. The main nationalities detected were Bangladeshi, Somali and Sudanese.

The Eastern Mediterranean recorded around 8,400 crossings, a fall of 32 percent. While some corridors saw notable decreases, the Libya-to-Crete corridor remained active.

The Western Mediterranean was the only major route to register an increase, with around 5,200 detections, up by 50 percent year-on-year. Algeria remained the main departure country. The rise reflects a shift in smuggling routes, as stricter controls in Morocco and on the neighboring Western African and Central Mediterranean routes have pushed more departures towards Algerian shores.

The Western Balkan route registered around 2 800 detections, a decline of 19 percent. The Croatian border with Bosnia and Herzegovina remained the main exit point from the region. As weather improves and migrant mobility increases, the route is expected to come under growing pressure from secondary movements linked to the Eastern Mediterranean.