Geneva (AFP) - More than 2,000 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe this year, data showed Tuesday, bearing testimony to migrants' increasingly desperate attempts to reach the continent.
"Unfortunately, we have now reached a milestone whereby over 2,000 migrants and refugees have died as of this past weekend," International Organization for Migration spokesman Itayi Virri told reporters in Geneva.
The organisation said around 188,000 people had been rescued so far this year trying to cross the Mediterranean, and warned the 200,000-mark could be crossed by the end of the week.
IOM said the latest toll confirms "this route as the deadliest for migrants in search of a better life," and warned the situation was worsening. ...
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