International Desk(National Times)- Migrants heading to Italy from North Africa often cross in leaky or overcrowded boats via the central Mediterranean route, one of the world’s deadliest, and arrive in Lampedusa. The UNHCR said Wednesday there have been 675 migrant deaths on the central Mediterranean route so far this year. As of Wednesday, 38,263 migrants have arrived on Italy’s shores this year, according to the interior ministry. Piantedosi wrote on social media that the episode underscored “the urgency of preventing, from the countries of departure, the dangerous sea journeys and of relentlessly combating the ruthless trafficking business that fuels this phenomenon. The hard-right government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has cut deals with North African countries from which migrants embark, providing funding and training in exchange for help in stemming departures.