The journey across the Mediterranean to Europe is known to be perilous, even under usual weather conditions, as smugglers often load migrants onto boats that are not sea-worthy. Aid organizations are expressing concerns that hundreds have already perished this winter as bodies have been found in open waters, identified both by the coast guard and civilian vessels like fishing boats. On Tuesday near the resort of Tropea, the body of an unidentified man, wearing an orange life vest, was discovered by students, alongside another unidentified deceased woman who had no identification documents. An investigation has been initiated by the local prosecutor's office. Additionally, bodies have also washed ashore on the small Italian island of Pantelleria, revealing the severe toll of the migration crisis in the region. Italy is one of the countries most affected by the central Mediterranean migration route, with tens of thousands attempting to reach its shores each year by boat. Last week, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government reaffirmed its hardline approach to migration policy, indicating ongoing challenges in managing the humanitarian crisis at sea.