http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2016/10/03/over-11400-deaths-in-med-sea-in-past-3-years-says-unhcr_73ca5187-a445-445f-b2ca-d55554097b43.html
Over 11,400 deaths in Med Sea in past 3 years, says UNHCR
On first-ever Day of Remembrance marking Lampedusa tragedy
03 OCTOBER, 2016
(ANSA) - ROME, OCTOBER 3 - More than 11,400 people have died at sea in the Mediterranean since October 3, 2013, the day that 368 people lost their lives off the coast of Lampedusa, a tragedy being officially commemorated on Wednesday for the first time ever as a Day of Remembrance and Welcoming in Italy.
It said 2016 is heading towards being the deadliest year for migrants in the Mediterranean, with border walls and restrictive policies shrinking space for refugee protection in Europe.
"Just this year, 3,498 people have lost their lives in the Mediterranean in the desperate attempt to find salvation in Europe," said Carlotta Sami, UNHCR spokesperson for southern Europe, speaking from Lampedusa.
She said more than 300,000 migrants have already crossed the Mediterranean this year, 28% of whom were children, many of them unaccompanied minors or separated from their families.
"Legal and safe alternatives exist and must be implemented: family reunification, resettlement, humanitarian corridors, and work and study visas," she said.(ANSAmed).
Received on Mon Oct 03 2016 - 10:06:01 EDT