More migrants were killed crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe in 2016 than ever before, according to the United Nations migration agency in the region.

    At least 363,348 people crossed the sea - mostly to Italy and Greece - but 5,079 additional people were either killed or are missing. International Organization for Migration (IOM) released its preliminary figures, but they are expected to increase with the addition of fatalities from December.

    "The probable addition of several hundred more fatalities recorded in 2016 only deepens the tragedy", said IOM Director General William Lacy Swing.

    He added that Europe's frustration with a seemingly endless cycle of migrant rescue followed by reports of shipwrecks and more drownings will continue unless Governments throughout the region find a way to manage migration comprehensively.

Source: QNA