The latest United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesĀ (UNHCR) report noted that approximately 224,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe since January through the Mediterranean.This year, Greece surpassed Italy as the country with the most refugees and migrants entering its borders through the Mediterranean Sea.
It was reported that Italy received 98,000 migrants and refugeesĀ in total, while Greece received 124,000 since January 2015. Meanwhile, more than 2,100 people have died during their journey to Europe.
“There has been a major increase in refugees and migrants taking the ‘eastern Mediterranean route’ from Turkey to Greece. More than 85% of those arriving in Greece are from countries experiencing war and conflict, principally Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia. From Greece, most move onward across the Balkans to western and northern Europe,’ the report read.
Over the weekend (August 8 and 9) 1,000 migrants were rescued during operations in the Mediterranean and off the coast of Libya, as announced by the Italian Coast Guard.
On Sunday, five Italian Coast Guard operations took place, resulting in the rescue of 671 people, including 48 children and 108 women. In most cases, the illegal migrants and refugees were found on board overloaded boats in danger of sinking.
On Saturday, 400 people were rescued in operations off the Libyan coast.
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