Over 110,000 refugees, migrants reach EU by sea in 2016

GENEVA - Some 110,054 refugee and migrant maritime arrivals have been reported in Europe since the start of the year, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday.

A Syrian refugee (C) carrying his belongings exits a relocation camp for refugees following a documents check that allows him to travel to the Greek-Macedonian border, in Schisto, near Athens, Greece, February 23, 2016.  [Photo/Agencies]

A breakdown of figures reveals that 102,547 of these arrivals have been registered in Greece, with the remaining 7,507 arriving in Italy.

In February alone, around 35,132 migrants, mostly Syrians (48 percent), Afghans (25 percent) and Iraqis (17 percent), reached Greek islands having crossed the Aegean Sea.

According to IOM, to date 413 people have died while crossing the Mediterranean Sea, often in dangerous embarkations compounded by hazardous weather conditions.

By far the deadliest passage, the eastern Mediterranean passage separating Turkey and Greece has claimed the lives of 321 individuals this year.

A further 92 people have died while crossing the central Mediterranean route linking North Africa and Italy.

Last year saw over one million refugees and migrants arrive in Europe.