More than 2,800 migrants have died in the Mediterranean this year as of June 19, a sharp increase compared to last year at this time, when about 1,800 deaths were reported during the same period.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports 1,020 more fatalities than last year’s mid-year total, although we are still two weeks shy of 2016’s mid-year point.
That means one in every 20 people who crossed since the beginning of the year have died in the sea between Libya and Italy.
This death toll does not take into account the deaths that occur in Libyan territorial waters and go unreported in many cases.
So far 55,510 migrants have arrived in Italy from Libya as of June 19, 2016. About 3,500 people arrived to Italy in the week of 12-19 June 2016 alone.
This week, IOM Libya reported 153 fatalities recorded by Libya’s Coast Guard (LGC) as of 14 June 2016. Moreover, 117 bodies were recovered between the first two days of June, of which 6 were children.
Areas with migrant presence.
Meanwhile, IOM also reported on an agreement it signed with the Netherlands for an agreement for an 18-month, €1.5 million project to increase the Libyan coast guard’s capacity to save lives at sea.
The Dutch government will be providing lifesaving equipment and basic infrastructure. The project will also support the assisted voluntary return of migrants stranded in Libya to their home countries, with reintegration assistance provided to the most vulnerable.
Migrant Report Migration GeoPortal. Last updated: 13 June 2016
View the full IOM Mediterranean update infographic here.
Read the full IOM Libya report here.