A total of 120,137 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea this year through 20 August, almost 82 percent of whom arrived in Italy, the United Nations migration agency said on Tuesday.
The total arrivals to Europe through 20 August are less than half the 269,856 who landed over the same period of 2016, the International Organisation for Migration said.
A total of 97,931 migrants landed in Italy through 20 August, almost 6,000 fewer than during the same period of last year, IOM stated, citing Italian interior ministry figures.
The total number of migrants who perished on the dangerous boat journey across the Mediterranean to Europe through 20 August was 2,410, fewer than the 3,216 deaths recorded over the same period of 2016, according to the IOM.
Italy is keen to cut the number of migrants arriving on its shores - over 615,000 people over the past three years - and this month launched a naval mission to help combat people trafficking in the Mediterranean.
The Italian government has also issued a controversial new code of conduct for charities rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean amid allegeations they are abetting illegal immigration.
