“The body of a boy, apparently aged 12 or 13, was found on Botricello beach, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from where a fishing boat carrying up to around 200 asylum seekers broke up in rough seas last week,” Italian news agency ANSA said.

On February 26, a boat carrying migrants sank amidst harsh weather conditions while trying to land on the coast of Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort village near the town of Crotone, in the region of Calabria in southern Italy.

The boat was carrying about 200 migrants when it sank, Italian officials said.

According to the International Organization for Migration, over 20,000 people have died or gone missing on the Central Mediterranean route since 2014.

The Central Mediterranean route has been one of the most active despite the dangers it poses, making Italy one of the most common landing countries, although many continue on to northern European countries. (ILKHA)