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Bad weather in Feb. causes drop in migrant sea arrivals in Greece: IOM

Xinhua, February 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported Friday that some 5,110 refugee and migrant maritime arrivals were reported in Greece in the first 10 days of February, a significant decrease compared to the 72,193 arrivals recorded in the whole of January.

"Last weekend's high winds and low temperatures, which saw ferry services to the islands diverted due to rough seas, resulted in a dramatic drop in the number of migrants risking their lives trying to reach Greece," IOM explained in a statement.

So far this year, 83,201 migrants and refugees have reached European shores, with the bulk of arrivals (77,303) registered in Greece.

According to Hellenic police, around 44 percent of January arrivals in the southeastern European country were Syrian, 27 percent Afghan and 17 percent Iraqi.

IOM indicated that 410 people have lost their lives while attempting to reach Greece and Italy since the beginning of 2016.

The Eastern Mediterranean route separating Turkey and Greece remains by far the deadliest passage, claiming the lives of 320 people since the start of the year.

Ninety individuals have died while crossing the Central Mediterranean passage which links North Africa with Italy. Endit