432,761 refugees and migrants have crossed the Mediterranean in 2015, more than doubling total for 2014
A total of 432,761 people crossed the Mediterranean so far in 2015, according to data released today.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said that over double the amount of people who made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean in 2014 have already made the journey in 2015.
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The IOM said the jump was due to a greater influx of Syrians from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands.
The IOM also said 175,375 migrants from Syria have reached Greece in 2015.
The number of Afghans, the country that accounts for the second most refugees, crossing the Mediterranean also rose to 50,177 from 32,414.
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Prime Minister David Cameron announced earlier this week the UK will take up to 20,000 Syrian refugees in the next five years, but Germany has already said it could take 500,000 a year for the coming years.