Human-rights group: 2000 migrants died at sea this year

More than 2,000 migrants have died trying to cross the Mediterranean into Europe this year, according to the global Organisation for Migrants (IOM).

“The organization believes that more migrants will attempt to reach European shores as the summer progresses”, he added. During the same period last year, the group estimates 1,607 died.

The organization said around 188,000 people had been rescued so far this year trying to cross the Mediterranean, and warned the 200,000-mark could be crossed by the end of the week.

The IOM stated that traffickers taking people to Italy tended to use more unseaworthy vessels, which lead to a higher death toll.

The majority of migrants lost their life in the Channel of Sicily, the organisation said.

The LÉ Niamh is now on deployment in the Mediterranean as part of the humanitarian search and rescue operation and has rescued hundreds of migrants since it arrived in the region.

Migrants walk in the proximity of the Eurotunnel rail terminal in Coquelles near the northern French …

“There are no windows and where it is very easy to die because of the exhalation (inhalation) of the fumes of the engine”.