Record numbers of asylum seekers reach Europe in October
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The United Nations says a monthly record of 218,394 migrants and refugees have arrived in Europe by sea in October.
UNHCR: Monthly record of 218,394 migrants and refugees arrived in Europe by sea in October
https://t.co/T8jtYXKG8apic.twitter.com/pA5sykSIVr
— ITV News (@itvnews) November 2, 2015The figure is close to the total number for the whole of last year.
Many set sail on flimsy vessels, having paid a huge price to people smugglers.
#UNHCR Commissioner calls for new system for crisis #SyrianRefugeeshttps://t.co/EbTtDhUqKF@refugees@RefugeesMediapic.twitter.com/Llj2xyAqUq
— Filippo Dionigi (@FilippoDionigi) November 2, 2015Some pay an even higher price as Adrian Edwards from the UNHCR explains:
“Already there is almost 3,500 deaths being reported in 2015, and as these numbers increase with still insufficient capacity for this scale of a problem and no safe legal alternatives for people to make this route, people are dying.”
The UN says that 210,000 have entered Europe via the Greek islands of Lesbos and Samos.
Italy is also a major arrival point.
Most then move on through the Balkans looking for safe haven in Germany or Scandinavia.
As winter approaches there is no reduction in the number of people arriving seeking sanctuary.
And no reduction in the numbers of those that perish.
SAD: Another 19 Bodies Of Dead African Migrants Recovered Off Shores Of Greece -… https://t.co/MzvLYEENu8#Naijapalspic.twitter.com/nrIvnhcuHH
— Naijapals Forum (@Naijapals) October 30, 2015