Hizia, a 39-year-old Algerian woman, set sail for Spain on the evening of December 31. She was traveling with her two children, 9-year-old Mohammed and 14-year-old Omar. They left Oran on the Algerian coast with 13 other people, but the boat capsized off the coast of Andalusia. Omar was rescued by a merchant ship, but Hizia and her youngest son are still missing.
Europol announced that 24 suspects have been arrested for smuggling migrants, drugs and stolen goods into and through Europe.
During a visit to Algeria, Italian president Sergio Mattarella said on the issue of migration that "Europe and Africa are called upon to do more, as part of collaboration that is open, effective and sincere, where the positions may at times be distant but always respectful and constructive."
Three migrants were killed and one injured after a train in southern France struck them. The migrants were reportedly lying or sleeping on or near the tracks at the time of the incident.
About 8,000 migrants arrived in Spain in September, breaking a monthly record for this year. The number of tragedies at sea is also rising.
Paris has accused former colonies of not doing enough to allow illegal immigrants to return. Algeria has summoned the French ambassador in response to the decision.
On Tuesday, September 27, Algeria reportedly returned about 40 Moroccan migrants to Morocco via its land border.
The bodies of eight migrants, thought to be of North African origin, have been found on beaches in southern Spain since Sunday. One child and three women were among the corpses. The authorities said they could have come from one or several small boats.
Hundreds of Moroccan nationals are being held in inhumane conditions in Libyan detention centers, a human rights group reports. The families are urging the Moroccan government to intervene.
Two women and four children were found dead in the Tunisian desert, confirmed an official on Thursday. It is presumed they "died of thirst."
The Belgian government announced a breakthrough on Wednesday, as hundreds of migrants stopped their hunger strike in Brussels after authorities signalled their willingness to renegotiate the situation. However, it is not clear if they will ultimately gain the right to remain in the country.
Fears continue to grow for the health of hundreds of undocumented migrants in Belgium who have stepped up a hunger strike aimed at getting the authorities to let them stay. The migrants have been refusing to eat for two months.