Migrants pray aboard the rescue ship MV Aquarius near the coast of Malta on May 13, 2018. 73 migrants of various nationalities were rescued by MV Aquarius on May 12, a rescue vessel chartered by SOS-Mediterranean and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) which is heading to the Italian port of Messina. /VCG Photo

Tens of thousands of refugees attempt to reach southern European countries by crossing the Mediterranean in smugglers’ boats every year, most of which are unfit for open water. /VCG Photo

Too many migrants have lost their lives during their journey to Europe. 5,096 asylum seekers died or went missing in 2016 while in 2017 3,139 people met the same fate, according to The Malta Independent. /VCG Photo