The dismal record is despite fewer migrants trying to cross to Europe, according to the UN migration agency IOM.
Organizations and researchers see several reasons behind the high number, including storms, difficulties in rescue operations and closed borders.
“The more we increase the pressure to prevent departures, the more we create perfect conditions for people smugglers, increasing the risk for migrants,” said Arnaud Banos, an expert on maritime migration at the French research agency CNRS.
