A resident protested the spiralling death toll for migrants and refugees in the Mediterranean sea in Athens, April 22, 2015. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

GENEVA, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- A total of 419 migrants and refugees have died across the world since the start of the year, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Friday.

This means that on average, more than 10 men, women and children have lost their lives every day when attempting to reach their end-destinations by land, sea or air routes. Half that rate was recorded last year.

By far the deadliest region for migrants -- the Mediterranean Sea -- has claimed the lives of 258 individuals attempting to reach European shores since the start of the year.

A further 68 fatalities have been recorded in the Caribbean region, 37 in the United States and Mexico border area and 36 in Southeast Asia.

According to the Geneva-based organization, 7,509 global migrant deaths were documented last year.