France, March 21 -- At least 8,938 people died while attempting to migrate to another country in 2024- marking the deadliest year on record for migrants worldwide, the UN said on Friday.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) warned that the actual death toll is likely much higher, as many deaths go undocumented due to a lack of official sources.

"The tragedy of the growing number of migrant deaths worldwide is both unacceptable and preventable. Behind every number is a human being, someone for whom the loss is devastating," said IOM deputy director general for operations Ugochi Daniels in a press release.

"The increase in deaths across so many regions in the world shows why we need an international, holistic response that ...