At least 606 migrants attempting to reach Europe have been reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean the last two months marking the "deadliest start to a year" in over a decade.
The number includes more than 30 people who are feared dead or missing after their boat capsized off the coast of Greece in severe weather over the weekend, the International Organisation for Migration said (IOM).
The boat had departed from Tobruk, Libya, on February 19 and overturned about 20 nautical miles south of Kali Limenes, Crete.
Authorities rescued 20 people who were onboard, including four minors.
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They also recovered the bodies of three men and one woman.
"This marks the deadliest start to a year in the Mediterranean since IOM began recording such data in 2014," the UN agency said.
The IOM has called for an increase in search and rescue efforts in the Central Mediterranean to "save lives and ensure safe disembarkation".
It warned that trafficking and smuggling networks "continue to exploit migrants" travelling in the waters in "unseaworthy boats".
The IOM said at least 606 have been reported dead or missing in the last two months along the Mediterranean route
|REUTERS
"Stronger international cooperation and protection-centred responses are key to tackling these criminal networks and expanding safe and regular pathways to reduce risks and save lives," the IOM said.
In Italy, the bodies of 15 people believed to be migrants have washed up on beaches in Calabria and Sicily during the past week, The Guardian reports.
Bishops in both regions said the drownings were the consequences of “inhumane political choices” rather than isolated tragedies.
Earlier this month Italy's cabinet approved a bill authorising naval blockades to halt migrant boats during periods of "exceptional pressure" at the country's borders.
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has moved to crackdown on sea crossings since taking office in late 2022
|REUTERS
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has moved to speed up repatriations of unsuccessful asylum seekers and introduced stiffer jail terms for human smugglers in a bid to stem sea crossings since taking office in 2022.
The move came after the European Parliament green lit changes to EU asylum rules, responding to pressure from member states including Italy for a tougher approach.
The European Parliament approved the amendments to the Asylum Procedures Regulation to introduce a list of countries deemed "safe" to which failed asylum seekers could be returned.
The list includes countries such as Egypt and Tunisia whose human rights records have come under scrutiny.
Under the new rules, EU countries may reject an asylum application if the person could have received protection in a country the bloc considers safe.
Millions of refugees have entered Europe since 2015, prompting a tightening of policies from national governments.
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