Closed borders and lack of accessible legal ways to reach Europe led many refugees and migrants to take more "diversified and dangerous journeys, such as relying on people-smugglers or using flimsy boats to cross rough seas," a new report by the United Nations refugee agency has revealed.
The Central Mediterranean route from North Africa to Europe is particularly dangerous and recorded, in 2016, more death at sea than ever before. By crossing the Mediterranean, migrants risk drowning, kidnapping, physical abuse, torture and extortion by smugglers and criminal gangs at several points along the journey. 
The U.N. agency pointed out that the majority of migrants who arrived in Italy by sea in 2016, were victims of human trafficking. Additionally, it stated that children making this journey are especially vulnerable, and the number of unaccompanied children arriving in Europe is increasing. Last year more than 25,000 came, representing 14 percent of all new arrivals in Italy. 
According to the report, tens of thousands of migrants have been reportedly pushed back by border authorities in Europe, and it is very likely that violence was used to deter further entry attempts. 

Source: QNA