UN Estimates Half a Million Migrants Have Arrived in Europe This Year
The United Nations has estimated that more than half a million migrants have crossed into Europe since January. Greece received the most migrants, with 383,000 arriving on its shores. Italy is second, at 129,000 arrivals, according to the United Nations' Refugee Agency, UNHCR. The number does not include the nearly 3,000 people who have either died or disappeared on their journey. The data shows sea arrivals account for 90 of arrivals and that 84 of migrants come from the world's top 10 refugee nations, which include Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Nigeria, and Iraq. Syrians account for the overwhelming majority of those making the treacherous trip 54 of migrants are Syrian, and 71 of Greek arrivals come from the country, which has been torn apart by a four-year civil war. The Syrian conflict has created approximately 4 million refugees, with an additional 7 million being displaced within the country.