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Migrant crisis: numbers crossing Mediterranean nearly double in a year Numbers of migrants crossing Mediterranean nearly doubles in a year
(35 minutes later)
The number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach southern Europe was 80% higher in the first half of 2015 than a year earlier, while deaths more than tripled, the UN refugee agency has said.The number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach southern Europe was 80% higher in the first half of 2015 than a year earlier, while deaths more than tripled, the UN refugee agency has said.
The UN high commissioner for refugees said on Wednesday data from Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain showed 137,000 migrants arrived between January and June – up from 75,000 in the first half of last year, an 83% increase. One-third were from Syria, while Eritreans accounted for 12% and Afghans for 11%. The UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) said on Wednesday that data from Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain showed 137,000 migrants arrived between January and June – up from 75,000 in the first half of last year, an 83% increase. One-third were from Syria, while Eritreans accounted for 12% and Afghans for 11%.
UNHCR says the number of people who died during the crossing totalled 1,867, up from 588 a year earlier. However, it said there was a dramatic drop after an unprecedented 1,308 people died in April. “Europe is living through a maritime refugee crisis of historic proportions,” the report said. The UNHCR says the number of people who died during the crossing totalled 1,867, up from 588 a year earlier. However, it said there was a dramatic drop after an unprecedented 1,308 people died in April. “Europe is living through a maritime refugee crisis of historic proportions,” its report says.
The UNHCR hailed Brussels’ decision to redistribute 40,000 Syrian and Eritrean asylum seekers who have already arrived in Europe but called for greater solidarity between countries to help migrants and the states carrying the heaviest load.The UNHCR hailed Brussels’ decision to redistribute 40,000 Syrian and Eritrean asylum seekers who have already arrived in Europe but called for greater solidarity between countries to help migrants and the states carrying the heaviest load.
UN refugee chief António Guterres stressed most of those attempting the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean were not economic migrants. “Most of the people arriving by sea in Europe are refugees, seeking protection from war and persecution,” he said in a statement. The UN refugee chief, António Guterres, said most of those attempting the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean were not economic migrants. “Most of the people arriving by sea in Europe are refugees, seeking protection from war and persecution,” he said in a statement.
After Syria, Afghanistan and Eritrea, other top countries of origin include Somalia, Nigeria, Iraq and Sudan, the report said. After Syria, Afghanistan and Eritrea, the other countries where most migrants were coming from included Somalia, Nigeria, Iraq and Sudan, the report said.
The unprecedented number of deaths in April spurred European leaders to significantly broaden search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, cutting fatalities to 68 in May and 12 in June. The unprecedented number of deaths in April spurred European leaders to significantly broaden search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, cutting the number of deaths to 68 in May and 12 in June.
“With the right policy, backed by an effective operational response, it is possible to save more lives at sea,” Guterres said.“With the right policy, backed by an effective operational response, it is possible to save more lives at sea,” Guterres said.
The report also noted a shift in migration patterns, with the number of people travelling the eastern Mediterranean route from Turkey to Greece now surpassing the route from north Africa to Italy.The report also noted a shift in migration patterns, with the number of people travelling the eastern Mediterranean route from Turkey to Greece now surpassing the route from north Africa to Italy.