Deaths on Mediterranean Sea pass 3,000 in 2016-IOM

More than 3,000 people have died at sea trying to cross to Europe this year, UN-partner agency the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has announced.

The threshold was crossed after the discovery of 39 bodies washed up on Libyan shores this week.
According to the organization, a thousand fewer lives were lost in the Mediterranean Sea at the same point last year.

IOM also said that it is expecting to confirm that more than a quarter of a million migrants and refugees have made it to Europe so far this year, arriving mainly in Italy and Greece.

In a statement, the organization also praised Italian and international vessels for saving hundreds of lives at sea every day.

SOURCE: UN Radio