(Ecofin Agency) - About 515,000 migrants and refugees have crossed the Mediterranean sea to reach Europe since the start of 2015, according to data published by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHRC).

Around 383,000 individuals reached Greece, and another 129,000 Italy, according to the UNHCR which specified that 54% are of Syrian origin and 13% are Afghani.

In Greece, 71% of the migrants are Syrians who have fled the armed conflicts in their country.

Among these, 2980 have died or went missing during the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean, the same source added.

According to the HCR, many who came by sea to southern Europe, particularly Greece, come from countries affected by violence and conflicts, such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. These people need international protection and are often times physically exhausted and traumatised, the U.N. agency says.

The European countries, experiencing the biggest migrant crisis since World War II, agreed last week to share 120,000 migrants and financially assist the countries neighbouring Syria, but the U.N. has asked the leaders to do more in this field.