MADRID, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- A total of 47,505 migrants crossed from Africa to Spain in the first 10 months of 2018, according to data published by the Spanish Ministry for the Interior (Home Office) and the International Organization for Migration on Monday.
The number of migrants who reached Spain between the start of January and the end of October is higher than the 47,170 who, according to official figures, came to Spain during the 6 years from 2012 to 2017.
During October 10,042 migrants travelled to Spain, attempting to take advantage of the last calm weather before the arrival of winter to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
Most of the migrants made the dangerous maritime crossing from North Africa using a total of 1,775 boats, the vast majority of which were unstable inflatable dinghies.
It is estimated that 564 people lost their lives attempting to make the journey.
