More than 11,600 unaccompanied minors crossed the Central Mediterranean from North African to Italy between January and mid-September 2023, a 60% increase on the 7,200 unaccompanied or separated children that made the perilous crossing in the same period last year, UNICEF said on Friday.
The UN agency said at least 990 people, "including children", died as they attempted to cross the Central Mediterranean between June and August 2023, triple the number for the same period last summer, when at least 334 people lost their lives.
"The Mediterranean Sea has become a cemetery for children and their futures," said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia and Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Response in Europe.
"The devastating toll on children seeking asylum and safety in Europe is a result of policy choices and a broken migration system.
"The adoption of a Europe-wide response to supporting children and families seeking asylum and safety and a sustained increase in international aid to support countries faced by multiple crises are desperately needed to prevent more children suffering." It said the children who survive the crossing are first held in migrant hotspots and then transferred to reception facilities that are often closed and limit movement.
UNICEF said that more than 21,700 unaccompanied children are currently in such facilities across Italy, up from 17,700 a year ago.
The children's agency referred to the situation in Lampedusa, Italy's southernmost island, which is often the first port of call migrant boats seeking to reach Europe.
It said the number of arrivals peaked at 4,800 people on a single day this month.
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