At least 600 children have been killed this year as they attempted to cross the Mediterranean Sea to escape their war-torn countries.
From January to September, two children a day died as they made the journey across to safer lands according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The figures were released three years after a shipwreck was found off the coast of Lampedusa in Italy where more than 300 people were killed as they made their way to Europe.
Pictures of hundreds of coffins and children's bodied washed ashore dominated headlines in 2013 and led to many European leaders saying a tragedy like this would “never happen again”.
Sadly however, that has not been the case.
“Since then more than 10,400 men, women and children have died or gone missing trying to reach Europe by sea,” Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children, Kevin Watkins told The Independent.
“The Mediterranean Sea has become an unmarked grave for children fleeing war, persecution and extreme poverty.
“Just this year, we estimate that at least 600 children have died crossing the sea – a rate of two a day.
"The international community cannot continue to ignore these tragedies - we have an obligation to protect children, be it here in Europe or during their treacherous journeys."
The charity has been working with Italian ports for over eight years in an effort to help children arriving into the country.
Since January, more than 20,600 children have arrived in Italy with a heart breaking 18,400 of them travelling completely alone.
