The Mediterranean’s latest migrant tragedy – and possibly one of its deadliest – comes at a time when Europe is again discussing how best to deal with the immigration issue.

A trawler which may have carried as many as 750 passengers, including women and children who were likely trapped in the hold capsized and sank early on Wednesday. That could make the sinking one of the deadliest ever in the central Mediterranean Sea.

A huge search-and-rescue operation initially recovered 78 bodies and picked up 104 survivors — all men and boys. But no more have been found.

Meanwhile, Greek authorities were criticized for not acting to rescue the migrants, even though a coast guard vessel escorted the trawler for hours and watched helplessly as it sank in minutes. Greek officials argued that the migrants repeatedly refused assistance and insisted on continuing to Italy. Legal experts said that was no excuse.

The tragedy came mere days after the European Union came out and said that after many years a breakthrough has been reached between the bloc on a plan to share out responsibility for migrants entering Europe without authorisation.

EU interior ministers endorsed a deal balancing the obligation for countries where most migrants arrive to process and lodge them against the requirement for other members to provide support, whether financial or by hosting refugees.

However, the agreement has not been plain sailing nor unanimous.  Italy and Greece – two countries on the front line when it comes to migration – initially objected but came on side after a late round of talk, while Malta abstained from the vote.

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri later explained why.

"Over the past years Malta worked a lot to reduce irregular arrivals, mostly thanks to work with Libya and also through local decisions, including that those not entitled for protection are returned back to their country. Today, we are not alone speaking about this and the whole of the EU understands that you cannot talk about migration without working with North African countries," Camilleri said.

He said that reforms in this sector need to consider the new weights it will create on the frontiers like Malta and the share of responsibilities between all the Members States.

"Unfortunately there are those who still think that this is a Mediterranean country problem only, and that allocation of funds will solve the problem. Malta's position is that there is still no just balance between our obligations and the sharing of responsibility with everyone," Camilleri said.

In many ways, Camilleri makes a valid point.  The solution for the migrant crisis – if there is one – must be found by working closely with those on the frontier, including North African countries.

Throwing money at the problem certainly will not make it go away – particularly in Malta’s case were you have the added issue that the lack of space is a limiting factor.

However, at the same time, we can never forget the humanity aspect of this matter.  Again, hundreds have died as they seek a better life, with Europe standing aside and allowing this to happen without lifting a finger to stop it.

The reality of the situation is this.  A solution will certainly save lives; but the lack of a solution should not mean that those same lives are condemned to death under the waves of the Mediterranean Sea.

One hopes that the agreement reached by the European Union can work, and stand the tests that will be thrown at it.