Picture shown is for illustrative purposes only.

Thousands of migrants fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East make the dangerous journey by sea to reach Europe.

These migrants are hapless, helpless and homeless. Very often the bid for a better life ends in tragedy as the briny turns the grave for most of these migrants, after their boat sinks.

More than 1,100 migrants have died or are missing at sea after attempting to cross the Mediterranean this year.

In the latest incident, at least 12 people died on Saturday when a boat loaded with asylum-seekers sank in the Ionian Sea, the Greek coastguard said.

"So far 12 bodies have been recovered. The search and rescue operation continues," the coastguard said.

The boat, with around 50 people on board, took on water near the island of Paxi during an apparent attempt to reach Italy.