Illegal crossings into southern Europe from Libya and Tunisia - in pictures

  • A migrant rescued by Tunisia's national guard during an attempt to enter Europe by crossing the Mediterranean by boat at the port of El Ketef, near the border with Libya. All photos: AFP
    A migrant rescued by Tunisia's national guard during an attempt to enter Europe by crossing the Mediterranean by boat at the port of El Ketef, near the border with Libya. All photos: AFP
  • Rescued migrants rest at El Ketef after an aborted crossing of the Mediterranean.
    Rescued migrants rest at El Ketef after an aborted crossing of the Mediterranean.
  • Migrants arrive in Tunisia and Libya from many parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia to attempt the crossing.
    Migrants arrive in Tunisia and Libya from many parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia to attempt the crossing.
  • Thousands pay traffickers to help them on the last leg of their journey, often in vessels that are not seaworthy. These migrants are resting at El Ketef after being rescued by Tunisia's national guard.
    Thousands pay traffickers to help them on the last leg of their journey, often in vessels that are not seaworthy. These migrants are resting at El Ketef after being rescued by Tunisia's national guard.
  • Huge numbers are still attempting the crossing despite cold winter weather and rough seas.
    Huge numbers are still attempting the crossing despite cold winter weather and rough seas.
  • Bangladeshi migrants who were rescued as they attempted to cross the Mediterranean Sea by boat wait to board a bus as they are deported from Libya in Tripoli. Tunisia and Libya are key departure points for migrants attempting the dangerous crossing from the North African coast to Europe, particularly Italy.
    Bangladeshi migrants who were rescued as they attempted to cross the Mediterranean Sea by boat wait to board a bus as they are deported from Libya in Tripoli. Tunisia and Libya are key departure points for migrants attempting the dangerous crossing from the North African coast to Europe, particularly Italy.
  • Last year, a record 35,000 migrants reached the Italian island of Lampedusa, which lies about 333 kilometres off the coast of Tunisia.
    Last year, a record 35,000 migrants reached the Italian island of Lampedusa, which lies about 333 kilometres off the coast of Tunisia.
  • Other migrants become stranded in North Africa because they cannot afford to pay traffickers for the boat journey to Europe.
    Other migrants become stranded in North Africa because they cannot afford to pay traffickers for the boat journey to Europe.
  • The UN says some migrants are joining forces to buy their own boats to attempt the crossing.
    The UN says some migrants are joining forces to buy their own boats to attempt the crossing.
  • Migrants rescued by Tunisia's national guard during an attempted crossing of the Mediterranean by boat, rest on the beach at the port of el-Ketef in Ben Guerdane in southern Tunisia near the border with Libya.
    Migrants rescued by Tunisia's national guard during an attempted crossing of the Mediterranean by boat, rest on the beach at the port of el-Ketef in Ben Guerdane in southern Tunisia near the border with Libya.
  • Bangladeshi migrants wait to board a bus as they are deported from Libya.
    Bangladeshi migrants wait to board a bus as they are deported from Libya.
  • The Libyan Coast Guard rescued more than 30,000 as they attempted the crossing last year, more than three times as many as in the previous year.
    The Libyan Coast Guard rescued more than 30,000 as they attempted the crossing last year, more than three times as many as in the previous year.
  • More than 1,300 people died trying to make the journey.
    More than 1,300 people died trying to make the journey.
  • Migrants from South Asia in Tunisia after being rescued in the Mediterranean.
    Migrants from South Asia in Tunisia after being rescued in the Mediterranean.