Refugees brave the Death Pass into Europe

"Passo della Morte," the Death Pass, is the last hurdle in Italy for many migrants and refugees venturing further north into Europe. Photojournalist Federico Scoppa accompanied several Afghans on the precarious crossing.

Image: DW/F.Scoppa

A group of Afghan teenagers walk in the woods toward France

Into the woods

A small group of Afghan teenagers, fearful of being followed by police, set off on the roughly 12-kilometer (seven mile) hike along roads and the dangerous mountain tracks of the Death Pass to France.

Image: DW/F.Scoppa

Three teenage boys walk through the woods

A treacherous route

Migrants and refugees cross the border between the town of Ventimiglia in Italy and Menton in France by walking through the highway tunnels or along railroad tracks or by climbing over the rocky mountain. Whichever way they choose, the journey is sometimes fatal.

Image: DW/F.Scoppa

A tunnel runs through the mountain where the Death Pass is located, crossing the border between Italy and France

High speeds, low visibility

Many migrants and refugees access the highway that leads to France at this fence. From here they risk their lives walking through the tunnel.

Image: DW/F.Scoppa

The fence where migrants and refugees access the highway tunnel to France

Relying on nature

Those who opt for the Death Pass generally set off without knowing the route or carrying supplies of food or water.

Image: DW/F.Scoppa

A refugee drinks water from a stream on the way to France

Out with the old

Old farmers' storehouses are used by refugees and migrants as shelter, to rest or to wait for nightfall before they cross the mountain. Worn clothes are left behind when they change into fresh clothes, hoping that a tidy appearance will help them avoid getting caught by the French police.

Image: DW/F.Scoppa

Old clothes, a broken door and rubbish strewn on the ground in a storehouse

'Peace' signals the way

A "pace" flag hanging from the border fence between Italy and France indicates where people can squeeze through. The French government erected the fence after World War II to stop Italian immigration.

Image: DW/F.Scoppa

Charting a path

The teenagers survey the route down to Menton. The highest point of the Death Pass is nearly 300 meters (985 feet). Often the migrants and refugees are caught once they make it to France and sent back to Italy.

Image: DW/F.Scoppa

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Refugees brave the Death Pass into Europe

"Passo della Morte," the Death Pass, is the last hurdle in Italy for many migrants and refugees venturing further north into Europe. Photojournalist Federico Scoppa accompanied several Afghans on the precarious crossing.

Into the woods

A treacherous route

High speeds, low visibility

Relying on nature

Out with the old

'Peace' signals the way

Charting a path

Refugees brave the Death Pass into Europe

"Passo della Morte," the Death Pass, is the last hurdle in Italy for many migrants and refugees venturing further north into Europe. Photojournalist Federico Scoppa accompanied several Afghans on the precarious crossing.

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