Flow of Refugees by Sea to Europe

More than one million refugees and migrants have reached Europe by sea since the start of 2015, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) says.

More than 80% of the 1,000,573 people arrived in Greece, with the majority landing on Lesbos island, it said.

About 844,000 travelled to Greece from nearby Turkey. Most of the others – over 150,000 – crossed the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy.

The migrant crisis is Europe’s worst since World War Two.

Migration to Europe in graphics

Migrants offered ‘bad weather discounts’

The migrants reaching Europe by land

The number of sea arrivals has increased vastly since 2014, when it was recorded at slightly more than 216,000.

“Increasing numbers of refugees and migrants take their chances aboard unseaworthy boats and dinghies in a desperate bid to reach Europe.

“The vast majority of those attempting this dangerous crossing are in need of international protection, fleeing war, violence and persecution in their country of origin.”

About 49% of those crossing the Mediterranean Sea are from Syria, with 21% coming from Afghanistan, it added.

The number of those dead or missing at sea is now at 3,735.

The BBC’s Paul Adams in Lesbos says, that while the island feels less overwhelmed than usual, thousands more people are still waiting to be registered, so they can travel further into Europe.