Over 2,000 migrants have died so far this year trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) announced on 4 August. In 2014, in total, 3,279 lost their lives. IOM reported that as in 2014, the overwhelming majority of the migrants died in the Channel of Sicily on the Central Mediterranean route connecting Libya and Italy, where unseaworthy vessels used by smugglers and traffickers significantly increase the likelihood of tragedies occurring. While Italy and Greece have this year experienced similar inflows of migrants (approximately 97,000 and 90,500 respectively), the death rates are very different. Approximately 1,930 people lost their lives trying to reach Italy, but only about 60 died trying to reach Greece. The latest tragic loss of life which took the total number of deaths past 2,000 took place last week when a total of 19 people lost their lives in the Channel of Sicily. According to IOM staff in southern Italy, who interviewed the survivors, the engine of the boat in which they were travelling overheated and the drinking water on board had to be used to cool it. Fourteen migrants subsequently died of heat exhaustion and thirst. "It is unacceptable that in the 21st century people fleeing from conflict, persecutions, misery and land degradation must endure such terrible experiences in their home countries, not to mention en route, and then die on Europe's doorstep," said IOM Director General William Lacy Swing. Despite these tragedies, IOM underlined the extraordinary efforts of maritime forces in the Mediterranean. Approximately 188,000 migrants have been rescued so far this year. IOM believes that more migrants will attempt to reach European shores as the summer progresses, and the 200,000 mark will be reached very soon.
