Mediterranean remains deadliest route for migrants – IOM

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday reported that 2,987 migrants lost their lives so far this year in the Mediterranean, out of a worldwide total of 4,093.

The IOM Director General, William Swing, said that this loss of lives was “unnecessary, completely avoidable and absolutely unacceptable’’.

“The Mediterranean remains the deadliest route for migrants on our planet,’’ Swing explained.

The arrival of 557,899 migrants by sea has been reported in Europe so far this year, representing close to double of 2014’s total, while this year’s Mediterranean death count is fast approaching 2014’s yearly total of 3,139 fatalities.

Report says Greece remains by far the destination which receives the biggest migrant influx with 421,341 arrivals recorded to date, followed by Italy (133,451), Spain (3,007) and Malta (100).

Since Oct. 2, IOM indicated that over 20,000 new arrivals have been reported on Greek soil as migrants and refugees continue to cross the narrow stretch of water separating Turkey and Greece.

IOM reported that the Turkish Coast Guard has counted 134 migrant deaths in its waters this year, while the Turkish military indicated that 72 lost their lives in September alone.