IOM: 432,761 migrants crossed sea this year

More than 430,000 migrants and refugees have reached Europe via the Mediterranean since the start of the year, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said yesterday, adding that nearly 2,750 had died attempting the trip. The IOM said it had recorded 432,761 arrivals in Europe since January 1, comprising 309,356 in Greece, 121,139 in Italy, 2,166 in Spain and 100 on the island of Malta. Half of all crossings so far this year have been made by people fleeing Syria's devastating civil war, which after four and a half years has claimed 240,000 lives.