Eurostat records 22 deaths involving EU-registered ships worldwide in 2025

Maritime accidents involving EU-registered ships caused 22 deaths worldwide in 2025, seven more than in 2024, according to Eurostat's October 27, 2026 release. These are annual historical statistics, not a report of an accident occurring today.

Of the 22 people who died, 19 were crew members and three were in the category covering other people, such as service personnel, dock workers, pilots and inspectors. No passenger fatalities were recorded within this stated scope.

Cargo ships and fishing vessels each accounted for eight deaths. Passenger ships, recreational craft and service ships recorded two each. Ship type and victim status are different classifications: deaths on passenger ships do not mean the victims were passengers.

First published in English as “22 deaths worldwide involving EU ships in 2025” by Eurostat on the European Union's Europa website: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20261027-2 . © European Union, 2026. Adaptation/translation: KROV; © KROV, 2026. Source text: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ . KROV is solely responsible for this adaptation and translation; Eurostat is not responsible. In any discrepancy, the original English text prevails.