02:14 – At least 1,500 migrants perished in the Mediterranean in 2018

At least 1,500 migrants have perished since the beginning of the year in the Mediterranean Sea, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Friday. The route between Libya and Italy was the deadliest.This represents a proportion of one death for 19 migrants, since 55,000 migrants have reached European shores since the beginning of 2018, against double (111,753) at similar times from last year. Italy, whose new government has closed its ports to rescue ships, has recorded the arrival of 18,130 migrants by sea from Libya this year, the rest taking the destination of Spain, Greece , Malta and Cyprus. Spain has overtaken Italy this year as the first destination for migrants, with nearly 21,000 arriving since 1 January on its shores. (Belga)

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