The UN refugee agency has expressed concern over the increasing number of deaths of migrants attempting to reach Greece by sea. Two fatal shipwrecks occurred this week, bringing the total number of deaths to at least 45 this year. The UNHCR representative in Greece emphasized the need for long-term solutions and safer alternatives for those fleeing conflict and persecution. Greek authorities attribute the rise in migrant arrivals to conflicts in the Middle East, with most migrants paying smuggling gangs to transport them from Turkey to the eastern Aegean islands. Tunisia and Libya have also become vital departure points for migrants attempting perilous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea.