Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
The Israeli military command claims that air defenses intercepted a drone over the Haifa area, no sirens sounded in accordance with protocol
Israeli media: A loud explosion was heard in the Krayot, authorities are investigating whether it was caused by a drone, however sirens did not sound
Iranian military official: Footage of missile explosions confirms the use of enhanced warheads and high explosives
Iranian military official: These missiles were able to bypass anti-ballistic missile air defense systems such as THAAD, Arrow, and David's Sling.
Iranian military official: Data from the operations room and field information indicate that more than 70% of the missiles accurately hit their targets
Iranian military official: The missiles were specifically manufactured to target the Zionist entity's sites, and their production was supervised by the martyred commander, Major General Hajizadeh
Fars News Agency, citing an Iranian military official: Iran used new-generation missiles with high accuracy and full guidance in the attack it launched on Israel on Thursday morning
Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps in Iran, Major General Mohammad Pakpour: We shall tread the path of our martyred leaders, Bagheri, Salami, Hajizadeh, and Rashid, with utmost strength
Iranian state TV: IRGC Major General Mohammad Pakpour issues a decree appointing Brigadier General Majid Khademi as the new head of the IRGC's Intelligence
Sheikh Naim Qassem: The past days of Israeli aggression have proven the resilience of the Iranian people and their defiance of all pressures

UN: 3,000+ migrants died in sea trying to reach Europe in 2021

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 30 Apr 2022 22:46
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The UNHCR warns against the surging death of refugees trying to reach Europe through sea and land routes and launches an appeal to help provide protection and solutions for refugees.

  • x
  • Last year, a total of 3,077 people were lost while trying to cross the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes to Europe
    Last year, a total of 3,077 people were lost while trying to cross the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes to Europe.

More than 3,000 people died in the Mediterranean and Atlantic while trying to reach Europe last year - double the toll from 2020, the United Nations announced on Friday.

A fresh report from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) demanded urgent action to combat surging deaths among refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants trying to reach Europe.

Last year, a total of 3,077 people were lost while trying to cross the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes to the continent, compared to 1,544 in 2020, the report showed.

UNHCR Spokesperson Shabia Mantoo told reporters in Geneva that "alarmingly, since the beginning of the year, an additional 478 people have also died or gone missing at sea."

The report showed that in 2021, 1,924 people were reported dead or missing on the Central and Western Mediterranean routes, while another 1,153 perished on the North African maritime route to the Canary Islands.

Mantoo pointed out that "most of the sea crossings took place in packed, unseaworthy, inflatable boats, many of which capsized or were deflated leading to the loss of life."

She indicated that "many boats drifted off course or otherwise went missing without trace in these waters," adding that the crossing could take up to 10 days.

Related News

Trump risks opening 'Pandora's Box' with Iran, analyst warns

Macron in Greenland to counter US pressure, assert European support

17,000+ dead or missing along Central Mediterranean route

The increase in deaths at sea came amid a surge in the number of crossings. The UNHCR report showed that 53,323 migrants arrived by boat in Italy last year - an 83% hike over 2020.

In addition, 23,042 arrived in the Canary Islands, nearly the same number as a year earlier, the report mentioned.

The report also noted a 61% increase in departures from Tunisia compared to 2020, while departures from Libya increased by 150%. They took the Central Mediterranean route, which is the world's deadliest. 

According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 17,000 people have died or gone missing along this route since 2014.

"A myriad of abuses" along these routes

The UNHCR cautioned that land routes were also "highly dangerous".

"Even greater numbers may have died on journeys through the Sahara desert and remote border areas, in detention centres, or while in the captivity of smugglers or traffickers," Mantoo highlighted.

Migrants along all of these routes face a "litany of abuses," she indicated, pointing to "extrajudicial killings, unlawful and arbitrary detention, sexual and gender-based violence, forced labour, slavery (and) forced marriage."

Alongside the release of its report, the UN refugee agency launched an appeal for $163.5 million to help provide protection and solutions for refugees and others traveling along the dangerous routes to Europe. 

"UNHCR is appealing for support to help provide meaningful alternatives to these dangerous journeys and prevent people from becoming victims of traffickers," Mantoo confirmed.

  • Europe
  • Libya
  • Tunisia
  • Italy
  • United Nations
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Mediterranean Sea
  • UNHCR
  • Geneva
  • Canary Islands

Most Read

Iranian missiles impact Israeli sites in Tel Aviv in 2nd wave

Iran's missiles impact 'strategic' Israeli site in Tel Aviv

  • Politics
  • 14 Jun 2025
Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025
Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Smoke rises after an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

Op. True Promise 3: Iran's ballistic missiles strike Tel Aviv

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A 2013 satellite photo of Iran's Fordow enrichment facility. Photo: DigitalGlobe via Getty Images
Politics

Trump weighs US strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility: The Guardian

Iran's Foreign Minsitry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, undated. (Social Media)
Politics

Iran blasts IAEA chief for fueling Western-led nuclear pressure

IAEA claims Iran escalating uranium enrichment at Fordow plant
MENA

Trump, US intelligence split on Iran, Gabbard sidelined

Israeli exposed shelters deemed ineffective against Iranian missiles
Politics

Israeli shelters exposed, ineffective against Iranian missiles

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS