Frontex drones helped Libya and Tunisia forcibly return at least 33,000 people in the central Mediterranean

The EU's Frontex agency has facilitated the interception of over 33,000 migrants in the Mediterranean since 2018, as revealed by the Liminal project. This data highlights Frontex's significant role in pushbacks, with 36% of such actions in 2021 linked to its aerial surveillance. The agency is set to enhance its capabilities with a €330m budget for aerial operations and an additional €169m for advanced technology. Liminal's findings criticize the EU's approach, suggesting it obscures legal accountability and relies on Libya and Tunisia as proxies for migration control, while increasing pressure on charity vessels. Frontex has been noted for not alerting nearby rescue ships in certain cases, raising ethical concerns about its operations.