The number of people dead or missing while attempting to migrate via the Mediterranean has grown by two-thirds, Ruven Menikdiwela, director of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)'s Office in New York, tells a Security Council meeting on the issue.

She said: "By September 24th of this year, over 2,500 people were accounted as dead or missing this year alone."

"This number represents an increase by two-thirds, compared with 1,680 people for the same period last year," she continued.