The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called 2007 a year of “unlimited human tragedy.” It said 171 journalists and media workers were killed in 2007 as a result of political unrest, war and attacks on press freedom around the world.

Though journalists working in Iraq were most at risk, where 65 were killed, unrest in Pakistan and Somalia contributed to 17 more deaths and five were killed in Afghanistan and three in Sri Lanka.

In Africa, two journalists were killed as part of a crackdown on press freedom and in Mexico, several were killed covering the drug trade. The IFJ said journalists most at risk are usually those working in their own countries.

2007 was the second worst year on record for press safety after 2006, when the number of journalists killed while working was 177. The previous year saw 150 deaths and in 2004, 129 journalists were killed at work.

The IFJ will release its full report in mid-January.