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Migrant arrivals this year in EU approaching 250,000: IOM

Xinhua, August 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicated on Friday that the number of migrants and asylum seekers who have arrived in Europe so far in 2015 is fast approaching the 250,000 mark.

This compares to last year's figures which show that 219,000 migrants arrived in Europe over the course of the whole year, meaning that 2015 arrivals have already surpassed 2014 total arrivals.

IOM reported that sea rescues off the Italian and Greek coasts are occurring at a rate of over 1,000 migrants per day this summer, and that the death rates have reached record highs this year.

According to the migration agency's Missing Migrants Project, at least 2,300 people have lost their lives while attempting to reach European shores.

The Channel of Sicily is a particularly dangerous route, yet IOM revealed that around 102,000 migrants have braved the passage from Libya to reach Italy so far this year.

"The situation in the Mediterranean is deeply concerning," said IOM Director General William Lacy Swing.

"Even if lately there have been some important achievements, such as the reinforcement of the EU's Triton operation, more must be done in order to provide adequate support to desperate people who put their lives in the hands of unscrupulous smugglers. Too often migrants either perish at sea or en route to departure points," he added.

IOM explained that the migrant flows arriving in Europe, especially in Italy, are mixed.

While some are fleeing conflicts and persecution, others seek to escape poverty, famine and land degradation.

Latest figures show that 237,000 migrants have arrived in Europe to date, with current estimations predicting that the quarter million arrivals mark will be surpassed by the end of August. Endit