The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says the 2016 refugee death toll in the Mediterranean Sea has hit a record high of at least 3 800 people.

The tragic record’s been announced by the UNHCR spokesman, William Spindler  at a news briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

He says  the EU deal with Turkey aimed at stemming the tide of refugees into Europe has reduced the  number of migrants.

An estimated 327 800 asylum-seekers have crossed the sea so far this year, compared with more  than a million people last year.

Spindler says the higher death rate might be a result of the dangerous route from North Africa to Italy. Combined with bad weather, unseaworthy vessels, and cramming too many people into a boat, tragedy is inevitable.

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