At least 20 migrants died and up to 17 are missing after a boat capsized this August 13 in international waters near Lampedusa, Italy, according to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
The vessel, which departed Libya with around 100 people on board, overturned at sea. Sixty survivors were rescued and taken to a reception center on the island, said UNHCR spokesperson Filippo Ungaro.
The incident adds to a growing toll along the central Mediterranean migration route, one of the deadliest paths for migrants seeking entry into Europe. According to UNHCR data, at least 675 people have died attempting the crossing so far this year, not including those lost in this latest tragedy.
This route is part of a complex global network of migration corridors, where millions of individuals flee poverty, conflict, and political instability. From the Mediterranean to Central America, these journeys often expose migrants to extreme risks, and many end up settling in transit countries rather than reaching their intended destinations.
Click through to find out more about the world’s major migration routes and the challenges faced by those who travel them.