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Record numbers die in Mediterranean boat tragedies

29th August 2014 - 09:00 GMT | by Philip Rood in Portsmouth

RSS

The number of migrants and refugees who have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe has reached record levels this year, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

After a week where more than 300 people have died trying to make irregular crossings from North Africa to Europe, the total of deaths for 2014 is now approaching 1900. That compares to a previous highest figure in recent times of some 1500 in 2011.

The problem has become even greater over the summer months with 1600 people dying at sea since June.

‘The past few days have been the

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