Migrant deaths already over 2,000 in Mediterranean in 2015

The data reveal that the Mediterranean has become the deadliest route for those seeking a better life. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) announced yesterday that more than 2,000 immigrants and refugees have died this year trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean. The figure exceeds that recorded during the same period last year (1,607), which ended with a total of 3,279 deaths.

The IOM also stated that 188,000 immigrants have been able to reach Europe since January, mainly arriving in Italy and Greece, a figure that could reach 200,000 “very soon”. Although more immigrants arrive in Italy (97,000) than Greece (90,500), deaths occur more often on the crossing from North Africa to Italy, with 1,930 dying on the former route compared to sixty en route to Greece, normally from Turkey. Despite horrifying tragedies like the one last week which saw 14 immigrants die of thirst after using the drinking water carried on board to cool one of the boat's engines, the IOM said that the death toll has dropped in recent months, in part due to the strengthening of operation Triton, aimed at monitoring the EU's maritime borders and rescuing shipwreck victims.