Lampedusa: At least three individuals, including two children aged 3 and 4, have died during a perilous Mediterranean crossing from Libya to Italy, as reported by the German aid organization RESQSHIP. The tragedy unfolded when the engine of the overcrowded and fragile boat failed, leaving the passengers stranded at sea. The bodies of the deceased were brought ashore on the Italian island of Lampedusa. According to Deutsche Welle, RESQSHIP indicated that their rescue team reached the beleaguered rubber boat at around 4:30 p.m. local time but, tragically, it was too late for some passengers. "Two bodies of infants aged 3 and 4 were handed over to us," a paramedic from the charity noted, adding that the children likely succumbed to thirst the previous day. Additionally, a man found unconscious at the scene was later declared dead after unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate him. The Mediterranean crossing from Libya to Italy has grown increasingly treacherous, with many of the rescued migrants suffering severe i njuries, including chemical burns from exposure to salt water and fuel. Lampedusa, located between Tunisia, Malta, and Sicily, is often the first destination for migrants seeking a better life in Europe. The route across the Mediterranean has become one of the deadliest migration paths over the past decade. The International Organization for Migration reports that nearly 25,000 migrants have died or gone missing while attempting the crossing from North Africa to Europe since 2014. This includes approximately 1,700 last year and 378 so far this year. Efforts to curb migration and the resulting fatalities led to agreements in 2017 and 2023 between the EU and North African nations, such as Libya and Tunisia. These deals, valued at hundreds of millions of euros, tasked the coastguards of these countries with border protection responsibilities. However, the agreements have faced significant criticism due to allegations of severe human rights violations.