Thousands more perish in perilous sail to Europefrom AHMED ZAYED in Tripoli, LibyaTRIPOLI, (CAJ News) – MORE than 3 000 migrants and refugees have drowned during attempts to enter Europe by sea over the past twelve months. The fatalities include 495 victims that have drowned on the three Mediterranean routes since the beginning of the year. According to the International Office of Migration (IOM), during the past twelve months, 79 men, women and children have died on the Eastern Mediterranean route. Some 285 migrants and refugees have lost their lives on the Western Mediterranean route between North Africa and Spain. IOM, the United Nations migration agency, reported that 12 983 migrants and refugees had however managed to enter Europe by sea since the beginning of 2018.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 21, 2018 11:26 UTC