Migrant deaths in Mediterranean hit record

At least 4,220 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean Sea in 2016, the deadliest year on record. This is despite a significant decline in migrant crossings compared with 2015

ARRIVAL OF REFUGEES / MIGRANTS BY SEA IN 2016: To November 3

Main migration routes Schengen visa-free zone

Atlantic Ocean
SPAIN 4,971
MOROCCO
Mediterranean Sea
FRANCE
GERMANY
ITALY 159,350
ALGERIA
TUNISIA
LIBYA
GREECE 169,853
TURKEY
EGYPT

Comparison of year 2015 2016
Arrival by sea 1,015,078 334,174
Dead or missing 3,771 4,220

Origin of sea arrivals 2016
Other 38%
Eritrea 5%
Iraq 8%
Nigeria 9%
Afghanistan 14%
Syria 26%

Comparison of monthly sea arrivals (000s)
50 100 150 200
2015 2016
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Oct 2015: 221,374
Oct 2016: 30,242

Increase in use of flimsy boats and fact that refugees take hazardous route from Libya to Italy more often, contribute to rise in casualties

Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees