‘World’s deadliest sea crossing’ claimed six lives a day in 2018: UN refugee agency

According to a new report from the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an estimated 2,275 individuals drowned or went missing in the Mediterranean in 2018.

six people died every day last year crossing Mediterranean sea — This is a sharp rise on 2017 levels, when the rate was one death for every 38 arrivals. (Representational)

Six people died every day last year trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe – “the world’s deadliest sea crossing”, the UN refugee agency said, citing ongoing political deadlock over sea rescue and disembarkation.

According to a new report from the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an estimated 2,275 individuals drowned or went missing in the Mediterranean in 2018.

This is despite the fact that Europe saw the lowest number of refugees and migrants arriving for five years, at 139,300, principally Spain (65,400), Greece (50,500) and Italy (23,400).

“Saving lives at sea is not a choice, nor a matter of politics, but an age-old obligation,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said.

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The 190 migrants, mainly Eritreans and Somalis, were rescued in the Mediterranean.

“We can put an end to these tragedies by having the courage and vision to look beyond the next boat, and adopt a long-term approach based on regional cooperation, that places human life and dignity at its core.”

Last year, shifts in policy by some southern European States have led to numerous incidents where people have been left stranded at sea for days on end because the boats carrying them have been denied permission to dock.