Published : 05-01-2018
The Euro-Mediterranean Observatory for Human Rights revealed that the number of drowned and missing people in the Mediterranean during 2017, has reached its highest in decades.
The Observatory estimated the ratio of drowning to total arrivals to Europe across the Mediterranean during 2017 at 1.76%, while the number had not exceeded 1.38% in the year 2016, which saw an increased demand for immigration by sea.
The Observatory noted that although the number of migrants and asylum seekers arriving in Europe through the Mediterranean Sea decreased to half the number recorded in 2016, the rate of drowned and missing compared to the total arrivals this year was the highest.
In its yearly report, the Observatory indicated that the number of people seeking asylum to Europe by sea or by land has decreased significantly in 2017 reaching 181543, including 85662 from Syria, because of the conflict in their country.
The report confirmed that the number of asylum-seekers reached more than 1 million and 200 thousand by the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016, including more than 300 thousand Syrians.
On its part, the studies’ department in AGPS announced that more than 85 thousand Palestinian-Syrian refugees reached Europe by the end of 2016. The Action Group recorded the death of 50 Palestinian-Syrian refugees, after drowning while attempting to reach the European countries.
The Euro-Mediterranean Observatory for Human Rights revealed that the number of drowned and missing people in the Mediterranean during 2017, has reached its highest in decades.
The Observatory estimated the ratio of drowning to total arrivals to Europe across the Mediterranean during 2017 at 1.76%, while the number had not exceeded 1.38% in the year 2016, which saw an increased demand for immigration by sea.
The Observatory noted that although the number of migrants and asylum seekers arriving in Europe through the Mediterranean Sea decreased to half the number recorded in 2016, the rate of drowned and missing compared to the total arrivals this year was the highest.
In its yearly report, the Observatory indicated that the number of people seeking asylum to Europe by sea or by land has decreased significantly in 2017 reaching 181543, including 85662 from Syria, because of the conflict in their country.
The report confirmed that the number of asylum-seekers reached more than 1 million and 200 thousand by the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016, including more than 300 thousand Syrians.
On its part, the studies’ department in AGPS announced that more than 85 thousand Palestinian-Syrian refugees reached Europe by the end of 2016. The Action Group recorded the death of 50 Palestinian-Syrian refugees, after drowning while attempting to reach the European countries.
