The refugee crisis in the Mediterranean is a story of death and desperation

By Nick Miller
Updated October 31 2014 - 3:18pm, first published 2:42pm
Human cargo: Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa arrive in Sicily in September. Photo: New York Times
Human cargo: Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa arrive in Sicily in September. Photo: New York Times
Human cargo: Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa arrive in Sicily in September. Photo: New York Times
Human cargo: Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa arrive in Sicily in September. Photo: New York Times
Steady stream: An estimated 400 people in up to 20 boats make the crossing each day. Photo: New York Times
Steady stream: An estimated 400 people in up to 20 boats make the crossing each day. Photo: New York Times
Push factors: Refugees from Syria, Gambia, Eritrea, Iraq and other countries wait to be transferred to temporary accommodation after disembarking from an Italian navy ship. Photo: New York Times
Push factors: Refugees from Syria, Gambia, Eritrea, Iraq and other countries wait to be transferred to temporary accommodation after disembarking from an Italian navy ship. Photo: New York Times
Processing: Refugees from Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and other countries disembark an Italian commercial ship after being rescued at sea. Photo: New York Times
Processing: Refugees from Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and other countries disembark an Italian commercial ship after being rescued at sea. Photo: New York Times
Perilous voyage: Refugees from Nigeria and Ghana wait on a bus to be taken to temporary accommodation after arriving to Sicily. Photo: New York Times
Perilous voyage: Refugees from Nigeria and Ghana wait on a bus to be taken to temporary accommodation after arriving to Sicily. Photo: New York Times
Endangered lives: Refugees on an Italian commercial ship after being intercepted and rescued at sea. Photo: New York Times
Endangered lives: Refugees on an Italian commercial ship after being intercepted and rescued at sea. Photo: New York Times
Huge operation: Refugees are examined by workers with Medecins Sans Frontieres as they disembark from an Italian ship that rescued them at sea. Photo: New York Times
Huge operation: Refugees are examined by workers with Medecins Sans Frontieres as they disembark from an Italian ship that rescued them at sea. Photo: New York Times
Human cargo: Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa arrive in Sicily in September. Photo: New York Times
Human cargo: Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa arrive in Sicily in September. Photo: New York Times
Human cargo: Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa arrive in Sicily in September. Photo: New York Times
Human cargo: Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa arrive in Sicily in September. Photo: New York Times

London: Hundreds of migrants were packed into the windowless hold of a fishing vessel as it chugged its way north from the African coast earlier this year.