MADRID, April 12 (Xinhua) -- As the number of immigrants and refugees trying to reach Spain rises, so has the death toll, according to the latest report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) released on Thursday.

The first quarter of 2018 saw a 13-percent rise in the number of arrivals compared to the same period last year.

One in every 27 people who tried to reach Spain -- mainly by crossing the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa -- died in the attempt, the report said. In 2017, the figure was one death in every 52 people.

But despite the dangers, the number of people ready to risk their lives for the chance of a better future has increased. In 2017, there were 28,000 arrivals in comparison with 14,000 in 2016.

Moroccans and Algerians remain the two main nationalities attempting to travel to Spain, although there has been a 67-percent increase in immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa.

"The journey to and through Europe continues to be filled with danger for refugees and immigrants," Pascale Moreau, director of the UNHCR's European office, said.

The long journey was not the only danger, "abuses and extortions" by traffickers and armed groups added to the risks, Moreau said.