The wave of refugee deaths reached horrific levels at the weekend when about 700 people drowned after a crammed fishing boat overturned off the coast of Libya.
Most on board, it appeared, had been locked in the hull.
This came just days after another capsize in which about 400 people died.
Thousands have now perished endeavouring to make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean, and there seems little Europe or the world is willing, or able, to do to lessen the crisis.
At the same time, there seem no end to the numbers willing to risk their lives.
People are pouring out of troubled areas in Syria and the Middle East, from countries reeling from the aftermath of the Arab Spring and from instability, droughts and troubles in places like Eritrea, South Sudan and parts of West Africa.
Add in the lawlessness of Libya, where crooks and gangs who organise the boats and the trafficking can operate with relative impunity, and the crisis has escalated.
It has been estimated about 220,000 migrants reached the EU by sea last year, four times more than the previous year.
More than 3200 drowned in the attempt and figures in 2015 look as though they will be higher.
Thousands have already drowned.
Some refugees are escaping intolerable situations at home and dire circumstances once in Libya, the closest point to Italy.
Drought, rapid population growth and lack of opportunity are all part of the mix.
They pour primarily into Italy, with large numbers also into Greece and from Morocco into Spain.
Italy has been given much credit for its search and rescue operation across the Mediterranean called Mare Nostrum.
In one weekend alone last August, 4000 people were rescued.
But this costly operation was abandoned, in part because it was argued the rescues encouraged migrants to take the risk at sea.
The EU replacement from last November covers only the sea near Italy, for about the third of the cost.
Unfortunately, however, the flood has not abated, and Italy - hardly thriving economically - can barely cope.
There is much hand-wringing and anguish at what has been described as the biggest movement of people in Europe since after World War 2.
There are calls for Europe to get its act together, for more legal avenues for migration, for much better search and rescues and for more effort to improve the situation in Libya.
It seems so cruel to stand by and do little, to hold more summits or consultation while people die in their thousands.
Some commentators have been especially scathing of Britain and other EU states. After the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees appealed to the EU for 130,000 places for Syrian refugees last December, Germany came up with 30,000, Sweden with 2700 and 26 other EU states only 5438.
Britain's tally is just 143.
To be fair to the politicians, they are responding to serious concerns from their voters.
European nations might be extremely wealthy compared with most of Africa and the Middle East, but most have limited capacities to absorb successfully large refugee flows.
They have their own unemployment and social issues. While refugees and ''economic migrants'' are often among the most highly motivated citizens, Europe has seen the emergence of ''ethnic ghettos'' and a range of other issues.
On the growing right of politics, there are plenty taking advantage of the fears.
There seems an ever-increasing reservoir of people ready to move into Europe.
Australia faces similar issues and debates with its ''boat people''.
Most of its politicians, even from Labor, recognise a widespread sentiment that substantial numbers of refugees and migrants will change society and cost the nation.
In the meantime, talks will continue on how to alleviate the crisis and there will be little meaningful action.
And the Mediterranean will continue to be a watery grave for many men, women and children.
