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September 29, 2023

U.N.: Over 2,500 Migrants Have Died or Gone Missing This Year Trying to Cross the Mediterranean
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The United Nations Refugee Agency is reporting more than 2,500 people
have died or gone missing this year while attempting to cross the
Mediterranean to seek protection in Europe. That is a sharp increase
over last year, when about 1,700 migrants died or went missing. A top
official at the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees called on nations to
do far more to save lives.

Ruven Menikdiwela: "All Mediterranean states must urgently step up
search and rescue efforts and implement effective and predictable
disembarkation mechanisms. Saving lives at sea and providing
humanitarian assistance is one of the most basic obligations of
humanity, and those performing rescue operations or helping in good
faith should not be penalized for doing so."