Rome, September 4 (RHC)-- Refugee and migrants aid groups have sounded alarm over the latest report by the United Nations warning that the death rate for the migration crisis in the Mediterranean sea has reached its highest level since 2015.   One person drowned for every 18 migrants who reached Italy by boat for the first seven months this year, according to data released by the United Nations on Monday.

The toll is nearly triple the death rate during the same period in 2015 and double that from 2016, despite the fact that unauthorized migration along the route has dropped to its lowest level.

“A major factor contributing to the increased death rate is the decreased search and rescue capacity off the Libyan coast this year compared to the same period last year,” the United Nations refugee agency said in its report.

Approximately 1,600 migrants died in the Mediterranean in the first seven months of this year, according to the data released by the United Nations.