Horror as 340 refugees have died or vanished in four Med shipwrecks in the last two days alone
Around 4,500 migrants have died crossing to Europe in 2016
A MIGRATION organisation says that around 340 migrants have died or gone missing in four Mediterranean Sea shipwrecks over the past two-and-a-half days
That brings 2016's migrant death toll to 4,500 - which includes those who have disappeared - making it the deadliest year on record for those making the risky sea voyage.
Flavio Di Giacomo, a spokesman for Italy's International Organization for Migration, said that the recent toll includes a rescue overnight by Doctors without Borders of 27 migrants.
During that tragedy, 130 people were reportedly on board their rubber dinghy when it sank - with seven bodies being recovered.
Di Giacomo said the toll is increasing this year as smugglers are forcing departures despite rough winter seas.
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