More than three thousand migrants have died crossing the Mediterranean this year according to a report by the International Organisation for Migration
The figures make Europe the most dangerous destination for those trying for a better life.
The IOM has commented that the Mediterranean route far out strips other places recording border- related deaths including East Africa and the US/ Mexico frontier.
Since 2000 the Geneva based agency claims 40,000 migrants have died world wide.
IOM spokesperson Leonard Doyle said it was time survivors and relatives of the dead spoke out to prevent further tragedies:
“And I think that’s really our point today. It’s to draw attention to the enormous inhumanity that is taking place and that we need to galvanize international opinion around this and try and help amplify the voice of those who have lost loved ones so that others don’t take this foolhardy step and walk into the hands of smugglers who have nothing but cynicism in their hearts.”
The IOM believes that in many cases migrants often disappear and die without trace.
The report points to turmoil in the Middle East and parts of Africa as having sparked an exodus of desperate people trying to reach Europe.
And when jihadist extremists began taking over parts of Syria, there was a marked increase in the number of Syrians found on the overcrowded boats.
