Numbers soar - 6,000 rescued in Mediterranean

THE report from the International Organisation for Migration yesterday that something around 6,000 migrants have been rescued in the central Mediterranean Sea, the stretch of water between North Africa and Italy, in the last few days, is another reminder of the scale of the humanitarian crisis facing Africa and the scale of the impact it will have in Europe. 

The organisation said that 500 refugees are believed to have drowned or been killed this year trying to make the crossing.

Last year only — if that is not the wrong word — 159 people died on the route.