1,089 migrants died in Med in 2017, says IOM

(ANSAmed) - GENEVA, APRIL 26 - Since the beginning of the year, some 1,089 migrants and refugees lost their lives in the Mediterranean while trying to reach Europe via sea, according to the latest figures released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). In the period between January 1 and April 23, a total of 43,204 migrants and refugees entered Europe via sea, 80% of whom Italy (36,851) and the rest either Spain or Greece. IOM reports show that 23 migrants or refugees died or went missing at sea over the weekend off the Lesbos island in the sea between Greece and Turkey. These latest deaths bring the number of deaths at sea on the Eastern Mediterranean route thus far in 2017 to 37. With 1,002 mortalities since the beginning of the year, the crossing between North Africa and Europe continues to be the most dangerous in the world for migrants, IOM says. (ANSAmed).