The United Nations Refugee Agency is reporting more than 2,500 people have died or gone missing this year while attempting to cross the Mediterranean to seek protection in Europe. That is a sharp increase over last year, when about 1,700 migrants died or went missing. A top official at the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees called on nations to do far more to save lives.

Ruven Menikdiwela: “All Mediterranean states must urgently step up search and rescue efforts and implement effective and predictable disembarkation mechanisms. Saving lives at sea and providing humanitarian assistance is one of the most basic obligations of humanity, and those performing rescue operations or helping in good faith should not be penalized for doing so.”