US-Mexico border deaths rise

Latest figures suggest more people died crossing the border from Mexico to the US in the first seven months of 2017 compared to the same period the year before.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says 232 migrants have died so far in 2017, compared to 204 in the first seven months of 2016. That is an increase of 17%.

“Dying vs trying”

Experts say the figures are particularly shocking as significantly fewer people seem to be attempting to make the crossing.

The US Border Patrol says the figure is down by around half.

267, 746 people were apprehended in 2016 compared to 140, 024 in 2017.

Which month saw the highest numbers?

July. 50 bodies were recovered, including 10 people who died while being smuggled across the border in a juggernaut.

The IOM is warning that the figure is likely to be an under-estimation. Migrant fatalities often occur while people are crossing vast, empty stretches of land or water.