Migrant death toll in Mediterranean tops 1,000 for 6th year: UNHCR

More than1,000migrants have died in theMediterraneanSea thisyear, the sixthyearin a row that that "bleak milestone" has been reached, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.

"UNHCRis urgently calling for an increase in search and rescue capacity, including a return of EU state vessels to search and rescue operations, and an acknowledgement of the crucial role of NGO boats in saving lives at sea,"UNHCRspokesman Charlie Yaxley said in a statement.

At least 15,000 people have lost their lives inMediterraneancrossings since 2014, the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.

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