Record number of migrants die crossing Mediterranean

(Vatican Radio) So far this year, nearly 1,900 migrants have died trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe, surpassing the 700 dead recorded in 2013 and 500 dead recorded in 2012.

In the past four days alone, at least 300 migrants died in three different boat accidents in the Mediterranean. The three boats had originated in Libya, where the current civil unrest has prompted many refugees and migrants living there to seek any available escape route.

Chris Lom is the spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration. IOM and UN statistics indicate more than 124,000 irregular migrants from North Africa have arrived in Italy, Greece, Spain and Malta this year alone, more than double last year’s figures, including some 14,000 mostly unaccompanied minors.

“Something absolutely must be done now by European countries to save more lives at sea,” said Lom. “Because obligation to save lives surpasses everything else. But ultimately saving lives is not the solution.

“We have to provide a political solution to find alternatives to stop these people getting on the boats and those include providing safe and legal entry into Europe, resettlement opportunities, family reunification, and voluntary return for economic migrants who do not need international protection.”

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