The number of migrants who died represents the highest death toll "at the beginning of a year since IOM began measuring them in 2014," the UN agency said.
The statistics released on Monday come amid fresh reports of tragedy in the Mediterranean. At least 30 people are missing after a boat capsized off Crete on Saturday. Among those missing, mostly from Egypt and Sudan, were four minors.
A significant proportion of the boats - often substandard vessels - carrying migrants travelling across the Mediterranean depart from Libya, with Greece as their destination.
