More migrants died on the escape routes across the Mediterranean in the first half of this year than at any other time since 2017. In all, at least 1,874 people were killed or missing in the first six months of the year, according to data from the Missing Migrants Project of the United Nations Organization for Migration (IOM). The worst tragedy so far this year was the sinking of a completely overcrowded boat off the coast of Greece in May, believed to have killed hundreds (see video above).
Business Insider previously reported, citing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), that 1,859 people had died in the Mediterranean in the first six months of this year. Last year there were 1108 in the same period.
IOM: “The real numbers are probably higher”
According to data from the Missing Migrants Project, at least 2,278 migrants died on the three Mediterranean routes in 2017 and 2,946 in 2016. According to this information, at least 27,633 people have died on the Mediterranean routes since 2014.
The IOM emphasizes that the actual numbers are probably higher. Presumably boats also sank, of which no trace has ever been found. “The human catastrophe unfolding in the Mediterranean is unacceptable,” said IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino.
Greece is one of the main routes for refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa to the EU. Most cross over from Turkey to the Greek islands. However, more and more people are also venturing on the longer and more dangerous crossing from Turkey via Greece to Italy. In most cases, the crossings are organized by smugglers who pay for them.
Source: Krone
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