Mediterranean crossings result in over 2,000 migrants deaths in 2015

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicated Tuesday that over 2,000 migrants lost their lives so far this year while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe.

The migration agency reported that most of the deaths took place in the Channel of Sicily on the Central Mediterranean route connecting Libya to Italy.

Considered the most dangerous passage, the use of unsuitable vessels used by smugglers and traffickers was cited as a catalyst for tragedies to take place.

Such was the case last week when 19 people lost their lives in the Channel of Sicily after the engine of the boat on which they were traveling overheated.

According to IOM, the drinking water was subsequently used to cool the engine down, resulting in heat exhaustion and death for fourteen migrants.

"It is unacceptable that in the 21st century people fleeing from conflict, persecutions, misery and land degradation must endure such terrible experiences in their home countries, not to mention en route, and then die on Europe's doorstep," said IOM director general William Lacy Swing.

Though the inflows of migrants to Italy and Greece have been similar this year, 97,000 and 90,500 respectively, there is a significant discrepancy in the number of recorded deaths, with approximately 1,930 migrants loosing their lives trying to reach Italy compared to about 60 individuals dying on their way to Greece.

IOM indicated that it expected more migrants to attempt the hazardous crossing to reach European shores as summer progresses.

Figures show that 1,607 migrant fatalities were reported last year over the same period, and that 3,279 lost their lives in 2014 alone. Endit