Iran05 April, 20261 min read
Iran Becomes Deadliest Migrant Route as Thousands Die in Border Crossings
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Afghan migrants have died from extreme cold at the Afghanistan–Iran border. Deaths confirmed across multiple Herat district border crossings.
Deadliest Migrant Route
Iran has emerged as the world's deadliest migratory route, with 3,995 deaths and disappearances recorded in 2023 alone. Iran's historical total since 2014 reached 5,786, surpassing the US-Mexico border toll.
Deaths began rising after the pandemic, with 2024 seeing a peak of 1,508 occurrences on Iranian soil. IOM attributed the high toll to extreme environmental conditions, violence, and dangerous transportation.
Tragic Border Crossings
Afghans attempting to cross into Iran succumbed to freezing temperatures. Migrants abandoned by smugglers filmed their plight, recounting how two companions died from cold.
The Taliban governor confirmed three deaths, while local sources reported at least 15 bodies transferred to Herat. The BBC quoted Herat officials confirming three men plus a shepherd had died from the cold.
Root Causes and Political Reactions
The migration surge was driven by economic desperation and political instability. Families sent children as young as 14 on perilous journeys.
One mother told DW her 15-year-old son died from cold after leaving to bring food for the family. The Pamir Voice News Agency reported that conditions at the border were snowy, rainy, and extremely cold.