The International Organization for Migration: Around 2,000 migrants died this year
Geneva (ST): The International Organization for Migration announced that about 2000 people drowned in the waters of the Mediterranean during the first half of this year, compared to about 1,400 in the same period last year.
Sky News reported that Italy has witnessed a significant increase in the number of immigrants arriving, reaching 60,000 so far this year, compared to less than 27,000 for the same period last year.
According to the Organization, the total number of migrants across the Mediterranean to Europe has reached more than 82,000 this year.
More than 20,000 deaths have been recorded since 2014 along the dangerous sea route between North Africa and the southern shores of Europe.
Since 2015, some 300,000 people have been rescued while trying to cross the Mediterranean, according to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
K.Q.