At least 5,000 refugees drowned in the Mediterranean in 2016

The Dhaka Times Desk This year (2016), at least 5,000 refugees or aspirants to Europe have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea.

According to media reports, this number is the highest ever reported by the United Nations. The United Nations Refugee Agency recently released these statistics.

The number also includes 100 people who died in two rubber boats capsized off the coast of Italy last Thursday. The number of drownings of refugees or migrants is increasing due to adverse weather conditions, dangerous boats and various tactics to avoid the eyes of the authorities.

The United Nations says Europe should find a legal way for refugees to find safety. In this regard, UN spokesperson William Spendella said, the number of dead is increasing is really "horrific". In addition, traffickers practice sending thousands of refugees at a time, making it difficult for rescuers to save everyone.

This year, a total of 360,000 refugees or migrants entered Europe by sea. Most of them entered Italy and Greece, the International Organization for Refugees (IOM) said.

It should be noted that according to the statistics of deaths in the Mediterranean this year, an average of 14 refugees are drowning every day. Last year (2015), 3,800 refugees or migrants drowned in the Mediterranean Sea.