Migrants crossing into Europe in 2016 passes 300,000: UN

More than 300,000 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year -- far fewer than the 520,000 who arrived during the first nine months of 2015, the UN said Tuesday, reports AFP.
"The number of refugees and migrants reaching European shores this year passed the 300,000 mark today," William Spindler, spokesman for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), told reporters.
Despite the lower numbers attempting the dangerous sea crossing, fatality rates had risen, with 2016 on track to be "the deadliest year on record in the Mediterranean Sea," the agency added.
So far, 3,211 migrants have been reported dead or missing on the Mediterranean in 2016, just 15 percent lower than the total number of fatalities for all of last year (3,771), a UNHCR statement said.
Different patterns have emerged in the two European countries, Greece and Italy, which receive the vast majority migrants.
Arrivals in Italy this year stood at 130,411, on par with the 132,000 people who landed over the same period in 2015, according to UNHCR.
But Greece has seen a 57 percent drop in arrivals this year, with numbers falling since a March deal between the European Union and Turkey on curbing migrant flows across the Mediterranean.
Nearly half of the migrants and refugees who landed on Greek shores this year were Syrians, UNHCR said.
Fatalities among migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe could outstrip last year's total even though total numbers fell in the first nine months of this year, the UN said yesterday. Different patterns have emerged in the two European countries, Greece and Italy, which receive the vast majority of migrants.
Arrivals in Italy this year stood at 130,411, on a par with the 132,000 people who landed over the same period in 2015, according to UNHCR.
But Greece has seen 165,750 migrants and refugees land on its shores this year, a 57 percent drop against 2015 figures.
Arrivals began falling after a March deal between the European Union and Turkey on curbing migrant flows across the Mediterranean.
Nearly half of the migrants and refugees who landed on Greek shores this year were Syrians, with 25 percent coming from Afghanistan and 15 percent from Iraq, UNHCR said.
In Italy, the majority of incoming migrants are Africans, led by Nigerians (20 percent) and Eritreans (12 percent).
While migrant traffic into Europe has eased, tensions on the continent over the issue remain high.

 

Migrants crossing into Europe in 2016 passes 300,000: UN

More than 300,000 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year -- far fewer than the 520,000 who arrived during the first nine months of 2015, the UN said Tuesday, reports AFP. The number of refugees and migrants reaching European shores this year passed the 300,000 mark today, William Spindler, spokesman for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), told reporters. Despite the lower numbers attempting the dangerous sea crossing, fatality rates had risen, with 2016 on track to be the deadliest year on record in the Mediterranean Sea, the agency added. So far, 3,211 migrants have been reported dead or missing on the Mediterranean in 2016, just 15 percent lower than the total number of fatalities for all of last year (3,771), a UNHCR statement said. Different patterns have emerged in the two European countries, Greece and Italy, which receive the vast majority migrants. Arrivals in Italy this year stood at 130,411, on par with the 132,000 people who landed over the same period in 2015, according to UNHCR. But Greece has seen a 57 percent drop in arrivals this year, with numbers falling since a March deal between the European Union and Turkey on curbing migrant flows across the Mediterranean. Nearly half of the migrants and refugees who landed on Greek shores this year were Syrians, UNHCR said. Fatalities among migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe could outstrip last years total even though total numbers fell in the first nine months of this year, the UN said yesterday. Different patterns have emerged in the two European countries, Greece and Italy, which receive the vast majority of migrants. Arrivals in Italy this year stood at 130,411, on a par with the 132,000 people who landed over the same period in 2015, according to UNHCR. But Greece has seen 165,750 migrants and refugees land on its shores this year, a 57 percent drop against 2015 figures. Arrivals began falling after a March deal between the European Union and Turkey on curbing migrant flows across the Mediterranean. Nearly half of the migrants and refugees who landed on Greek shores this year were Syrians, with 25 percent coming from Afghanistan and 15 percent from Iraq, UNHCR said. In Italy, the majority of incoming migrants are Africans, led by Nigerians (20 percent) and Eritreans (12 percent). While migrant traffic into Europe has eased, tensions on the continent over the issue remain high.