Mediterranean deaths soar as people-smugglers get crueller - IOM

Refugees and migrants on a raft approach the shores of the Greek island of Lesbos, January 29, 2016. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

GENEVA (Reuters) - More people died crossing the eastern Mediterranean in January than in the first eight months of last year, the International Organization for Migration said on Friday, blaming increased ruthlessness by people-traffickers.

As of Jan. 28, 218 had died in the Aegean Sea - a tally not reached on the Greek route until mid-September in 2015. Another 26 died in the central Mediterranean trying to reach Italy. Smugglers were using smaller, less seaworthy boats, and packing them with even more people than before, the IOM said.