More than 60,000 migrants and refugees died or went missing in the past 20 years in attempts to get to safe areas by sea or by land, RIA Novosti reported quoting the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The report entitled “Fatal Journeys: Tracking Lives Lost during Migration” has assessed the situation of migrants since 1996.

The document, in particular, noted that more than 60,000 migrants and refugees died or went missing worldwide over last 20 years. These are the rough estimates of the IOM based on messages of authorities, mass media and other information.

According to the IOM, about 5,400 workers were killed or disappeared in 2015. Every 23rd refugee perishes on the way to Europe. At the same time, 80% of tragedies happen while traveling through the Mediterranean Sea.

The IOM noted that from the moment of the tragedy near the Italian island of Lampedusa in October 2013 when at least 500 people drowned, 10,000 migrants and refugees have been already killed or disappeared in waters of the Mediterranean Sea.