More than 300 deaths have been recorded in the Mediterranean Sea in the past week, due to irregular sea crossings by migrants from North Africa to Europe.

Almost 1,900 people have died in these type of incidents so far this year, with 1,600 deaths being since June.

Speaking to journalists, UNHCR senior spokesperson Melissa Fleming said: “The past few days have been the deadliest this year on the Mediterranean for people making irregular crossings to Europe, with at least three vessels having overturned or sunk.”

“The past few days have been the deadliest this year on the Mediterranean for people making irregular crossings to Europe.”

On 15 August, a boat carrying 270 people overturned near Garibouli to the east of Tripoli, Libya, leaving only 19 survivors, with the remaining passengers feared drowned.

According to reports, the vessel was at full capacity and more people were pushed onboard before departure. This overloading trapped the people on the lower deck once the ship had flipped.

A second accident ocurred on 16 August, leaving 18 dead and ten missing around 20 miles from Libyan inland waters. The boat was carrying more than 100 people mainly from Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Sudan.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“UNHCR’s Tripoli office receives daily calls from refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable people expressing fear for their lives and making desperate requests for food, water, medicine and relocation,” Fleming added.

“Those who choose to leave for Italy are taking longer and riskier journeys through new ports of departure such as Benghazi (in eastern Libya).”

In a third incident, a fishing boat capsized north of the Libyan coast on 17 August, killing 24 people and leaving 12 almost drowned.

Worsening security situations and conflicts, mainly in Libya, have encouraged refugees and migrants to risk the dangerous sea journey.