The United Nations refugee agency confirmed Thursday that at least 239 people are believed to have died in two separate shipwrecks off Libya this week — bringing the total number of deaths on the Mediterranean Sea to 4,220 so far this year.
Two survivors confirmed the deadly shipwrecks after they were brought to the reception center on the Italian island of Lampedusa, according to a spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
As new rescue operations ongoing in the Mediterranean, survivors are telling us about 2 new shipwrecks. At least 239 persons are missing
— Carlotta Sami (@CarlottaSami) November 3, 2016
Desperate people fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries often try to reach Italy by crossing the Mediterranean Sea. It’s roughly 290 miles to Lampedusa from a popular launching point in western Libya.
But the journey is incredibly dangerous. Human smugglers who have thrived thanks to Libya’s failed government take advantage of migrants and refugees who don’t have many other options and are willing to risk everything to make it to safety in Europe. These smugglers use lower-quality vessels that often don’t last the journey across the Mediterranean, and people are often packed so tightly into these ships that it’s hard for them to escape if the boat capsizes.
2016 is already the deadliest year ever for refugee crossings. Last month, the death count for Mediterranean crossings surpassed the number of deaths — 3,771 — reported during all of 2015.
“From one death for every 269 arrivals last year, in 2016 the likelihood of dying has spiraled to one in 88,” UNHCR spokesperson William Splinder said last month. “Between Libya and Italy the likelihood of dying is even higher, at one death for every 47 arrivals.”
Another recent shipwreck on the Central Mediterranean route took place on Tuesday, and 128 people are believed to be missing.
Among the thousands of people who have drowned is 19-year-old Gambia women’s national team goalkeeper Fatim Jawara, who died last month when the boat she was on became distressed. Jawara likely left Gambia in September and headed for Libya, where she began her seabound journey. Gambian people make up the fourth-largest group of people arriving in Italy.
There haven’t been many international solutions offered up to address the ongoing migrant crisis. Many countries, including the United States, could be doing more to help resettle refugees.