For years, thousands of migrants and refugees from Africa and Middle East have been trying to cross the Mediterranean into Europe to escape poverty and political persecution. 
Kwa miaka kadhaa, maelfu ya wahamiaji na wakimbizi kutoka barani Afrika na Mashariki ya Kati wamekuwa wakijaribu kuvuka bahari ya Mediterrania kwenda Ulaya kuepuka umasikini na mashitaka ya kisiasa.