Europe has been called to action to stop the rise of people dying at sea seeking refuge from countries torn by conflict like Syria, Mali, Libya or insecurity like Somalia.

The UN refugee agency issued a statement in Geneva after more than 260 people died crossing or went missing in the Mediterranean in the last ten days alone.

The refugees and migrants travel in unseaworthy and overcrowded dinghies, packed into a few metres of space without food, water or life jackets.

An estimated 800 refuges and migrants have died at sea so far this year.

Speaking to Patrick Maigua, Carlotta Sami, UNHCR Spokesperson in Lampedusa, Italy where most of the asylum seekers land, describes the situation as tragic.

Duration: 3'35"