Is this the greatest scandal of our age? The UN refugee agency says the sea crossing is more deadly than ever. Activists say Europe is failing migrants and making the crisis worse.
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Over 25,000 bodies missing in Mediterranean
Is this the greatest scandal of our age? The UN refugee agency says the sea crossing is more deadly than ever. Activists say Europe is failing migrants and making the crisis worse.
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<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">What's happening?</h2>
Nasenet has not seen her son Yafet for eight years. He is in Sudan, but she has crossed the sea to live in Europe. She needs his father to agree to bring him to Europe too. But Biniam is missing, probably dead at the bottom of the sea.
Every year, thousands of people cross the Mediterranean SeaA sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean. It has the shores of Europe on one and the shores of north Africa on the other, as well as shoreline in Asia. in small boats to start a new life in Europe. They are coming from North Africa like Nasenet, and the Middle EastThe lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia. .
The crossing is very dangerous. Since 2014, at least 25,000 people have drowned. Many of their bodies are still at the bottom of the sea. It means that no one knows exactly who is alive and who has died.
People disagree on the best way to stop the deaths. Some think that it is best to make Europe's borders stronger in Africa, and that European countries should not do anything that would encourage more people to try crossing the sea.
Others think Europe must do much more to help rescue people at sea, and find safe ways for people to come to Europe. And many are calling for European countries to do more to find the bodies of people lost at sea, and help their families know what happened to them.
Is this the greatest scandal of our age?
<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>
Yes! Europe is not doing enough to end this tragedyAn event that causes a huge amount of suffering and sadness. . More safe ways to cross are needed. Not all people are being treated in the same way. This is not fair.
No! There is no easy answer. Criminals helping people cross in unsafe boats are the ones putting them in danger.
Mediterranean Sea - A sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean. It has the shores of Europe on one and the shores of north Africa on the other, as well as shoreline in Asia.
Middle East - The lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia.
Tragedy - An event that causes a huge amount of suffering and sadness.
Over 25,000 bodies missing in Mediterranean
Graveyard: The bodies of thousands are people are still lying in boats on the seafloor. Glossary
Mediterranean Sea - A sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean. It has the shores of Europe on one and the shores of north Africa on the other, as well as shoreline in Asia.
Middle East - The lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia.
Tragedy - An event that causes a huge amount of suffering and sadness.