Europe
First-time asylum applications surge in EU
Bloc registered 41% increase in asylum applications in February, according to Eurostat
Agnes Szucs |
25.05.2023 - Update : 25.05.2023
Migrants are seen after the arrival of the Geo Barents ship by Doctors Without Borders NGO at Salerno harbour, Italy on December 11, 2022. Migrants on the ship were mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa. ( Stringer )
BRUSSELS
The EU’s statistical office reported on Thursday a surge in first-time asylum applications, led by Syrian and Afghan nationals.
“In February 2023, 76,505 first-time asylum applicants applied for international protection in EU countries” which is a 41% increase compared to the same period of last year, the Eurostat said in a statement.
Syrians and Afghans represent the two largest groups of first-time asylum-seekers, with 9,885 and 9,310 cases, respectively.
Russian citizens ranked 8th, making 2,385 applications.
Some 2,475 applicants were unaccompanied minors.
Over two-thirds of the cases were filed in either Germany, Spain, Italy, or France.
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
