Frontex

While not explicitly mentioned in these articles, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, is implicitly relevant to the issues presented. The articles highlight a surge in migrant deaths in the Mediterranean Sea during early 2026, with numbers more than doubling compared to the previous year. These deaths occur despite fewer crossing attempts, suggesting increasingly dangerous conditions and routes. The articles also detail incidents of bodies washing ashore in Libya and Greece, and shipwrecks off the coasts of The Gambia and Crete. Furthermore, the articles reference the EU's "harsh new approach to immigration," exemplified by holding centers in Bulgaria, indicating a focus on deterring asylum seekers. The rising death toll, coupled with the EU's restrictive policies, underscores the urgent need for a reevaluation of border management strategies and humanitarian efforts in the Mediterranean, areas where Frontex plays a significant role.