The International Organisation for Migration says no fewer than 521 Africans, comprising Nigerians, Ivorians, Guineans, Senegalese and Gambians, have so far drowned in the Mediterranean Sea this year.
This number, the IOM said, represented an increase of 50 persons, compared to the number of Africans that died while trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe last year.
The IOM added that between January and March this year alone, no fewer than 19,567 African nationals have arrived in Italy after crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
The organisation said this in a media advisory it issued on Monday, in which it announced the launching of a campaign to inform Nigerian migrants.
The campaign is tagged, “Ask your questions live.”