Estimated 230,885 migrants have entered Europe by sea in 2016-IOM report

Close to two hundred and thirty thousand eight hundred and eighty five migrants and refugees have entered Europe by sea as of the 6th of July 2016, the International Office of Migration says.

The statistics further indicate that about 2.920 deaths have been recorded this year compared to about 1.838 recorded in the first months of 2015.

The International Migration Office says the departure countries have been mainly Libya and Egypt with most of the migrants originating from Eritrea, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Gambia and Syria.

230,885 migrants incl refugees arrived by sea to Europe. 2,920 dead/missing #MigrationEurope https://t.co/nVsTPW6SYi pic.twitter.com/Ip0JXXCz5Y

— IOM (@IOM_news) 8 juillet 2016

The migrants who arrive in boats despite the dangers and harsh winter weather have been fleeing war, abuse and misery in their countries.

The journey to Europe is not an easy one, as some migrants are held by smugglers and sometimes beaten, tortured and even raped.

Many cases of death linked to beatings and illnesses have also been reported.