More than 1,500 people have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe in the first seven months of this year – with more than 850 people killed in June and July alone, according to the UN refugee agency.
Figures from UNHCR show that about 60,000 people have crossed the Mediterreanean this year and while that represents about half the number during the same period last year, one in every 31 who attempted to do so in June or July died or are missing compared to one in 49 during 2017.
Spain has replaced Italy as the primary point of arrival for migrants with more than 23,500 arriving there by sea in the year to date, compared with 18,500 to Italy and 16,000 to Greece. Refugees from Syria make up about 13.5 per cent of the new arrivals – the largest nationality represented among new arrivals.
UNHCR has urged search and rescue capabilities on the Mediterreanean Sea be strengthened after various restrictions were placed on NGO vessels looking to rescue people at distress in the sea.
Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR Special Envoy for the Mediterranean, said that without a “harmonised and collaborative way forward”, it was certain that the “tragedy of the Mediterranean Sea” would continue.
“With so many lives at stake, it’s vital that we give shipmasters confidence that they will be able to dock rescued passengers, and thereby ensure that the long-standing principle of rescuing people in distress at sea is protected.”
Cochetel also asked states and authorities along transit routes “to take all necessary action to dismantle and disrupt smuggler networks”.
“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.”
