Europeans needed to take urgent action to stop the catastrophe taking place in the Mediterranean, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said as he praised Malta and Italy for their efforts.
António Guterres noted that more than 260 people died or were reported missing as they attempted to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards Europe over the past 10 days.
The tally brought to some 800 the total number of deaths at sea this year, compared to a total 600 deaths in 2013, and 500 in 2012.
“The tragedies mark an intensifying crisis on Europe’s shores, as many fleeing Eritrea, Syria and other countries torn by violence seek safety in Europe by risking their lives at sea in the hand of smugglers. A rapid rise in incidents over recent weeks has prompted calls for urgent measures by European countries to develop a comprehensive plan to prevent such tragedies.”
The UNHCR said that more than 75,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Italy, Greece, Spain and Malta by sea in the first half of this year – 25 per cent more than the 60,000 who made the same journey in the whole of last year, and over three times the 22,500 who arrived in all of 2012.
Italy received 63,884 arrivals, followed by Greece - 10,080, Spain - 1,000 and Malta - 227.
Another 21,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Italy since July 1. Most left from north Africa, principally Libya, and were from Eritrea, Syria and Mali.
The UNHCR noted that over last weekend, Italian and Maltese authorities, together with several commercial vessels, rescued 8,000 people.
“The death of 260 people in less than ten days, in the most horrifying of circumstances, is evidence that the Mediterranean crisis is intensifying,” Mr Guterres said. “Europeans need to take urgent action to stop this catastrophe getting worse in the second half of 2014.”
Mr Guterres called on governments to strengthen rescue operations, provide swift access to asylum procedures for those in need of protection, and legal alternatives to dangerous sea crossings.
UNHCR urges European countries to provide additional and better facilities to receive those rescued, and to identify longer-term solutions for refugees, including resettlement, admission based on humanitarian needs, admission schemes based on private sponsorship, facilitated access to family reunification and the use of programmes such as student or employment visas.