Developments in the Europe refugee crisis

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EU approves military action against people smugglers in Mediterranean - reports

http://www.rt.com/news/315238-mediterranean-smugglers-eu-military/

The European Union has approved military action against people smugglers in the Mediterranean Sea, AFP reported, citing sources.

#BREAKING EU approves military action against Mediterranean people smugglers: sources

— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) September 14, 2015

Earlier, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that record number of asylum seekers had crossed the Mediterranean in 2015 so far. According to the agency, 432,761 migrants and refugees reached Europe by sea, which is more than double the total for 2014.

The “vast majority of arrivals” were registered in Greece (309,356 people) and Italy (121,139 people), the IOM said.

'Lucrative' business of people smuggling thriving amid Europe's refugee crisis – reporthttp://t.co/eMh69U1hfgpic.twitter.com/7vzHo65hUq

— RT (@RT_com) September 4, 2015

A total of 2,748 asylum seekers died while crossing the Mediterranean, according to the agency, adding that the Channel of Sicily “is notoriously the deadliest route in the Mediterranean Sea.”

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