The UN Migration Agency (IOM) reports that 95,768 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea in 2017 through 29 June, with almost 85 per cent arriving in Italy and the remainder divided between Greece, Cyprus and Spain. This compares with 230,230 arrivals across the region through 30 June 2016. IOM Rome spokesperson Flavio Di Giacomo reported Thursday (29 June) that 11,639 migrants and refugees were rescued at sea between Saturday and Wednesday (24-28 June). He also reported that while total arrivals to Italy for this year along the Central Mediterranean route are running about 18 per cent ahead of last year’s totals, arrivals for the month of June are virtually identical to similar periods in 2016 and 2015. Read here