In this article we investigate the various estimates of migrant deaths in the Mediterranean that have been produced – where the estimates come from, how they are used, what they add to debates, proposed solutions, policy and policy development, awareness of the issue and human rights advocacy, among others. It shows that existing estimates are insufficient for documenting how many people have died trying to cross the southern EU external borders. We also review the possibilities for improved data on border-related deaths.
Tracking Deaths in the Mediterranean, in Tara Brian and Frank Laczko (eds): Fatal Journeys. Tracking Lives Lost During Migration, International Organization for Migration, Geneva, 2014, p. 85-106 (with Tamara Last)