Spring sees rise in migrants crossing Med

BRUSSELS: More than 6 000 migrants have been rescued in the Mediterranean Sea in recent days while attempting to make the dangerous crossing from North Africa to Europe, an official said on Tuesday, at the resumption of a flow of people fleeing poverty and war.

The surging figures suggest that growing numbers of migrants, refugees and others – many from Africa and the Middle East – are trying to make the sea passage to Europe as the weather warms and smugglers increase operations.

The influx of people has become a major political issue in Europe, as anti-immigrant populists crusade against mainstream leaders and look to capture power in France and make gains in Germany in elections this year. EU leaders have signed deals with Libya and some of the sub-Saharan countries that are sources of most of the current flow.

The Mediterranean has become the main corridor for migrants trying to reach Europe. But the dramatic spike in rescues since last week suggests greater migrant traffic ahead, said Joel Millman, a spokesperson for Geneva-based International Organisation for Migration, which monitors migrant flows. “This is typical of spring, getting busy. But not typical to have numbers so high this early and the deaths that go with it.”

About 500 migrants have drowned and more than 20 000 have been intercepted at sea.