World

Migrant Death Toll Higher Than Previously Reported

The AP says almost twice as many migrants have died in the last few years than the U.N. reported.

Migrant Death Toll Higher Than Previously Reported
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At least 56,800 migrants have died or gone missing across the globe since 2014, according to a new report by the Associated Press

That's nearly double the official tally. The U.N.'s International Organization for Migration says, as of October 1, the toll was at 28,500.

The AP looked at information from international groups, forensic records, missing persons reports, death records and migrant interviews and was able to discover nearly 28,300 dead or missing migrants on top of the U.N.'s toll.

But the outlet admits its count is likely well below the actual number. Many die on their journeys and are still undiscovered, or their families have yet to report them missing.

Plus, as the U.N. points out, data on migrant deaths is nearly impossible to get in certain regions. 

This comes as migration rates continue to rise. The U.N.'s Department of Economic and Social Affairs says 2017 saw a 17 percent increase in migrants over 2010.