EUROPE-MIGRANTS/GREECE-LESBOS DINGHIES Syrians brave crossing to Lesbos after second boat sinks in Aegean in 48 hours

Record ID: 141070

  • Title: EUROPE-MIGRANTS/GREECE-LESBOS DINGHIES Syrians brave crossing to Lesbos after second boat sinks in Aegean in 48 hours
  • Date: 15th September 2015
  • Summary: SKALA SIKAMINEAS, LESBOS, GREECE (SEPTEMBER 15, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF HELICOPTER CIRCLING AROUND DINGHY AT SEA, OVERCROWDED WITH REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS MIGRANTS GETTING OFF BOAT ONTO LAND MIGRANTS COMING ASHORE, WAVING TO HELICOPTER HELICOPTER CLOSE TO SHORE MAN ON KNEES, PRAYING, KISSING THE GROUND (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PRAYING MAN, SAYING: "Oh my God, take us out of this misery, Oh my God, open the door to us, Oh my God!" LIFE JACKETS ON THE SHORE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) 22-YEAR-OLD STUDENT FROM ALEPPO, FARES, SAYING: "I await from Europe, a dream. We survived the journey of death, from death to life, a life that starts in Europe." SYRIAN FAMILY, MAN EMBRACING CHILD ANOTHER DINGHY ARRIVING, GREETED BY VOLUNTEERS MAN CARRYING LITTLE GIRL FROM DINGHY TO SHORE VOLUNTEERS CARRYING CHILDREN FROM DINGHY TO SHORE WOMAN CRYING MAN CRYING WOMAN TAKING OFF AND THROWING AWAY HER LIFE JACKET FAMILY WITH CHILDREN AND BABY BEING HELPED BY VOLUNTEER BABY CRYING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) REFUGEE WHO FLED ALEPPO WITH HIS WIFE AND SIX CHILDREN, MAHMOUD ABOU AHMED, SAYING: "We know it is going to be difficult on the borders. But, God willing, God is protecting us. God willing, they (Europeans) will take care of our children, and God will protect and guide us on our way." VOLUNTEER HELPING A MAN CHANGE HIS DAUGHTER'S WET SHOES FOR DRY ONES LITTLE GIRL WATCHING AS DRY SHOES ARE PUT ON HER VARIOUS OF PILES OF LIFE JACKETS AND RUBBER RINGS ON THE GROUND, WITH AEGEAN SEA AND TURKEY IN BACKGROUND
  • Embargoed: 30th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA4SIAMI815FSY675PA1QWM279P
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Migrants and refugees continued to land on the Greek island of Lesbos on Tuesday (September 15), completing a hazardous voyage from the Turkish coast in overcrowded dinghies, despite the dangers and growing difficulties awaiting them in several European countries.
    Their arrival, closely monitored by a helicopter from the European Union's border agency Frontex, came as the Turkish coastguard confirmed 22 migrants drowned and more than 200 were rescued when another boat capsized in the Aegean Sea trying to reach the Greek island of Kos.
    The boat went down about 1.5 miles (2.5 km) off the resort town of Bodrum, where the drowned body of Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi washed up two weeks ago, giving rise to a tragic image that shocked people around the world.
    The latest to arrive on Lesbos, many after leaving war-torn Syria, were greeted by volunteers and overcome with relief.
    One man prayed and kissed the ground.
    "Oh my God, take us out of this misery, Oh my God, open the door to us, Oh my God," he shouted, kneeling and praying.
    Another arrival was Fares, a 22-year-old student who had fled Aleppo.
    "I await from Europe, a dream. We survived the journey of death, from death to life, a life that starts in Europe", he said.
    Shortly afterwards, another dinghy arrived, packed with migrants, including women and children. Most of them were aware of the border controls that have been put in place in some European countries and that Hungary had closed its border, but were undeterred by the obstacles.
    "We know it is going to be difficult on the borders. But, God willing, God is protecting us. God willing, they (Europeans) will take care of our children, and God will protect and guide us on our way," said Mahmoud Abu Ahmed, who had travelled from Aleppo with his wife and six children.
    Greece has become the main gateway for refugees flowing into Europe, many of them fleeing conflict in countries like Syria and Afghanistan, in the continent's worst migration crisis since World War Two.
    A record 156,000 migrants entered the EU in August, Frontex said on Tuesday, taking the total for the year to more than 500,000.
    That compares to just 280,000 migrants crossing EU borders for the whole of 2014.
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