MojNews-A total of ۳۴,۲۲۶ irregular migrants and Refugees reached Europe by sea since the beginning of ۲۰۱۹, the UN migration agency said Friday.

Of that figure, ۶۸۳ died at sea, according to a report published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

During the same period last year, nearly ۵۱,۷۸۲ refugees and migrants were able to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, ۱,۴۴۹ of which drowned at sea.

This year, ۱۶,۲۹۲ irregular migrants and refugees arrived in Greece -- nearly half of total arrivals.

On the Eastern Mediterranean route, the number of deaths reportedly reached ۵۳ in ۲۰۱۹ -- a slight increase compared to ۴۶ deaths in the same period last year.

On the western route, Spain received ۱۲,۰۶۴ irregular migrants and refugees.

The number of deaths reported on the Western Mediterranean route remained high at ۲۰۴, compared to ۲۹۶ in ۲۰۱۸.

" Greece and Spain combine to account for ۸۳ percent of the region’s irregular sea landings," the IOM said in a statement on the report.