A crowd of people stand by a large white ship at nighttime. Several are wearing red outfits that might be uniforms. Someone is holding a large golden rectangular object, likely an emergency blanket.

More than 2,200 people died or disappeared trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea last year, according to the United Nations. With more European countries championing the success of far-right policies aimed at shutting out migrants, experts are warning even more lives could be lost in 2025 without real change.