Migrant deaths soar on perilous Mediterranean crossings to EU

The number of migrants dying while crossing the Mediterranean to reach Europe hit a six-year quarterly high this year, according to the UN migration agency.
More than 440 migrants perished making the dangerous voyage from North Africa to Italy or Spain between January and March, according to IOM.
The deaths come amid a surge in attempted crossings, with some 54,000 migrants arriving in Europe during the first quarter, up 20% from the same period last year, according to the EU border agency Frontex.
The rise in deaths and arrivals has sparked a political crisis in Italy, where the populist government has declared a state of emergency and asked the EU to intervene.
Aid groups have accused European countries of complicating rescue efforts and putting lives at risk with hardline immigration policies.