More than 50 young asylum seekers have died in UK since 2015, data shows

Figures gathered from children’s services and health trusts show 31 deaths were suicides, including six in under-18s

More than 50 young asylum seekers in the UK have died in the past decade, the majority by suicide, according to data compiled for the first time.

Of 54 deaths of children and young people who claimed asylum between 2015 and 2024 in the care system, 31 were due to suicide, with seven homicides and eight fatal accidents. Only six deaths were due to health issues with two causes of death unknown, and 44 of the 54 have occurred since 2020.