The central Mediterranean migration route, between Libya and Italy’s coasts, has always been busy. 2016 was the worst year on record. According to reports by the UNHCR over 173.000 people arrived on Italian soil, a 20% increase from 2015. Unfortunately, the dead and missing also increased in number to 4500. War, persecution, political instability and poverty on the African continent still continue to push people to undertake this extremely dangerous journey. NGOs and charities such as MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) continue their efforts to patrol the patch of sea north of the Libyan coast in the hope of rescuing migrants before it is too late. Crammed in unseaworthy vessels, migrants are often deceived by their smugglers and realised only too late that the promises of a skipper, life jackets, food and water and sufficient fuel were nothing but lies. This is that story.
