MORE THAN 1,000 MIGRANTS DROWNED IN MEDITERRANEAN IN 2018: UNITED NATIONS

More than 200 migrants are reported to have drowned off Libya in two days, bringing to at least 1,000 the number to die this year on the main migratory route linking Africa and Europe, the UN has said. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said in a statement on Thursday it was “shocked” by the deaths and called for urgent action to reduce the continuing loss of life. “UNHCR is dismayed by the ever-growing number of refugees and migrants losing their lives at sea and is calling for urgent international action to strengthen rescue at sea efforts by all relevant and capable actors, including NGOs and commercial vessels, throughout the Mediterranean.