The UN refugee agency on Wednesday warned that the international community was losing its focus on saving lives amid disputes between coastal nations over how to respond to the growing number of people making risky sea journeys in search of asylum or a better life.

According to the data released by the UNHCR, Europe is seeing the largest number of sea arrivals from the south (Libya), east (Ukraine) and south-east (Syria/Iraq).

More than 207,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean since the start of January – almost three times the previous known high of about 70,000 in 2011, attributed to the Libyan civil war.

People from refugee-producing countries (mainly Syria and Eritrea) have in 2014 become a major component in this tragic flow, accounting for almost 50% of the total, UNHCR notes.

Many of the refugees die or fall victim to international organized crime during these journeys. Worldwide, UNHCR has received information of 4,272 reported deaths this year. This includes 3,419 on the Mediterranean, the deadliest route of all.