More than 10 000 people have been rescued from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea since the beginning of this week.

According to the latest data of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) released on Friday, an estimated 194 611 migrants and refugees have entered Europe by sea from the beginning of this year through May 25.

The number of fatalities, including some hundred people who are reported as missing, is estimated at 1475 as of May 26.

Compared to the same period last year, there is increase in the number of arrivals by 102 751 people, while the number of fatalities has dropped by 353.

Since the beginning of the year, the majority of migrants and refugees have been arriving to Greece – 156 157.

The second most popular destination is Italy where 37 363 have arrived, including all rescued individuals who have been brought ashore.

The numbers entering Italy will certainly increase when the more than 10 000 rescued from drowning this week alone are added.

IOM Rome reported on Friday that this week alone dozens of migrants lost their lives in three separate accidents in international waters.

In one of the incidents, a fishing boat carrying more than 600 migrants capsized in Libyan waters, with Italian navy ships managing to rescue 540 of the passengers, with a hundred other remaining missing.

As of Thursday, 43 000 people have arrived in Italy since the beginning of the year, which is in line with last year's trend when 47 400 arrivals had been registered by the end of May.