Crete and nearby Greek islands, have seen a rise in migrant arrivals from North Africa. Authorities are monitoring the trend amid concerns over limited local resources and a possible shift in migration routes.

According to a recent statistical study, migrants do jobs that require the lowest level of skills in the region of Puglia in southern Italy. But migrant-led firms are actually doing better than their Italian counterparts.

In the two days since the new German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz tightened border controls, 19 people who had applied for asylum have reportedly been turned away.

The two children were aged 3 and 4 years old, the charity RESQSHIP said, adding that there were 59 survivors. The Mediterranean sea crossing from Libya to Italy has become increasingly dangerous in recent years.