Be My Guest! Number of Migrant Arrivals in Europe in 2015 Goes Over 1Mln

The number of migrants who crossed into Europe in 2015 has passed one million, which is four times as many as last year, media reported Tuesday, citing the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Over 800,000 migrants traveled from Turkey to Greece this year, the BBC news portal reported. The vast majority reportedly crossed over to Europe by sea. Most of the migrants searching for asylum in Europe fled the war-torn countries of Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Over 800,000 migrants traveled from Turkey to Greece across the Aegean Sea this year, the statement said. The vast majority reportedly crossed over to Europe by sea, with only 34,000 having crossed from Turkey into Bulgaria and Greece by land. Most of the migrants searching for asylum in Europe fled the war-torn countries of Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

One in every two of those crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe this year were Syrians escaping the war in their home country. Afghans accounted for 20 percent and Iraqis for 7 percent of arrivals, according to the statement.

More than 3,600 migrants are known to have drowned en route to Europe this year or remain missing.

Europe is currently struggling with the greatest refugee crisis since the end of the World War II. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are 20 million refugees worldwide.