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This is the world’s deadliest border

Tens of thousands of migrants are trying to reach Europe each year in unseaworthy boats because of unscrupulous human smugglers — and thousands have drowned. At the same time, in many European countries, xenophobia is on the rise. The combination can be lethal.

(Data source: Missing Migrants Project)

The video above shows what’s made the Mediterranean the deadliest border crossing on Earth: where migrants are coming from, why they’re in so much danger throughout the journey — even before they reach the sea — and what the US can learn from Europe’s response.

Correction: In an earlier version of the migrant fatalities chart, the running total bar was mistakenly cut short. It's been corrected.

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