UNHCR Sounds Alarm As Mediterranean Sea Deaths Pass 1,500 Mark

There have been more than 69,000 arrivals by sea so far this year with nearly 1,700 deaths. In the same period last year, 198,346 had arrived while 2,267 had been killed making the journey. Credit: MailOnline

Over 1,500 refugees and migrants have died since the beginning of 2018 while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea with over 850 passing away between June and July.

This was revealed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHR) which also said the Mediterranean is the deadliest sea route globally.

The UN body lamented the rising number of those who have died while trying to cross the sea.

Although the number of persons who have crossed the Mediterranean has reduced, the deaths rate is climbing high.

“UNHCR urges States and authorities along transit routes to take all necessary action to dismantle smuggler networks,” said UNHCR Special Envoy for the Mediterranean Vincent Cochetel.

“In order to save lives at sea, we must use appropriate and necessary measures to hold to account, those who seek to gain profit from the exploitation of vulnerable human beings.’’





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