
Photo: c UNHCD/ A. McConnell
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), more than 300,000 refugees and migrants have used the dangerous sea route across the Mediterranean so far this year with almost 200,000 of them landing in Greece and a further 110,000 in Italy. Across headlines this week, we have seen images of refugees cramped and crowded on the ground, awaiting their fate.
Perhaps the most disturbing image is that of three year-old Aylan Kurdi, who was found dead after drowning when his family attempted for the third time to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
The Guardian reported that a toll of 2,500 people have died this summer while trying to cross and seek a better life.
“At the same time, some 2,500 refugees and migrants are estimated to have died or gone missing this year, trying to reach Europe. This death toll does not include yesterday’s tragedy off Libya where numbers of deaths are still unconfirmed,” UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming told a press briefing in Geneva last Friday.
Fleming said that despite the concerted efforts of the joint European search and rescue operation under FRONTEX, which has saved tens of thousands of lives this year, the Mediterranean Sea continues to be the “deadliest route for refugees and migrants.”
Fleming added that many of the people arriving by sea in southern Europe, particularly in Greece, come from countries affected by violence and conflict, such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan; they are in need of international protection and they are often physically exhausted and psychologically traumatized.
Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said that Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, would take a “clear and obvious message” to a meeting in Brussels on Thursday with EU chiefs about the migration crisis.
More Tragic Deaths As Refugees Attempt To Cross The Mediterranean To Europe
Photo: c UNHCD/ A. McConnell
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), more than 300,000 refugees and migrants have used the dangerous sea route across the Mediterranean so far this year with almost 200,000 of them landing in Greece and a further 110,000 in Italy. Across headlines this week, we have seen images of refugees cramped and crowded on the ground, awaiting their fate.
Perhaps the most disturbing image is that of three year-old Aylan Kurdi, who was found dead after drowning when his family attempted for the third time to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
The Guardian reported that a toll of 2,500 people have died this summer while trying to cross and seek a better life.
“At the same time, some 2,500 refugees and migrants are estimated to have died or gone missing this year, trying to reach Europe. This death toll does not include yesterday’s tragedy off Libya where numbers of deaths are still unconfirmed,” UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming told a press briefing in Geneva last Friday.
Fleming said that despite the concerted efforts of the joint European search and rescue operation under FRONTEX, which has saved tens of thousands of lives this year, the Mediterranean Sea continues to be the “deadliest route for refugees and migrants.”
Fleming added that many of the people arriving by sea in southern Europe, particularly in Greece, come from countries affected by violence and conflict, such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan; they are in need of international protection and they are often physically exhausted and psychologically traumatized.
Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said that Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, would take a “clear and obvious message” to a meeting in Brussels on Thursday with EU chiefs about the migration crisis.
More From LATF USA
Eagles and Chiefs To Face-Off At Super Bowl LVII February 12
Ashley Benson, Jamie Chung and More Join 2023 Mammoth Film Festival Judging Panel
2023 Sundance Film Festival Wrap Up and Winners
Mayor Karen Bass Calls Attack on Tyre Nichols Ferocious and Sickening
NFT Oasis Partners With Vatom For The Future of Metaverse-as-a-Service
SUCCESSION Fans Rejoice Season Four Airs Sunday March 26
Netflix Renews THE RECRUIT For Second Season
Ciara and Russell Wilson To Be Honored With Fragrance of the Year at 2023 Hollywood Beauty Awards
95th Oscar Nominations Revealed: Top Gun, Avatar and Elvis Up For Best Picture
Inside Sundance Film Festival with Anne Hathaway, Robert Redford and more
Los Angeles Zoo and Angelenos Mourn Jewel The 61-Year-Old Elephant
Run Or Hike The Hollywood Hills Where “La La Land” Was Filmed And Get A Medal For It
RANDOM COMMENTARY
The “Boss” Doesn’t Seem To Be In Charge
Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade, What Happens Now?
Here’s A Juneteenth History Lesson
Johnny Depp Wins & Amber Heard Might Never Work Again In Hollywood