EUROPE-MIGRANTS/GREECE KOS ARRIVALS Migrants celebrate reaching the Greek island of Kos

Record ID: 144237

  • Title: EUROPE-MIGRANTS/GREECE KOS ARRIVALS Migrants celebrate reaching the Greek island of Kos
  • Date: 12th August 2015
  • Summary: KOS, GREECE (AUGUST 12, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** REFUGEES GETTING OUT OF DINGHY WITH CHILDREN REFUGEES ON THE SHORE YOUNG GIRL CRYING VARIOUS JUBILANT REFUGEES CELEBRATING LIFE JACKETS FLOATING IN WATER CHILD HURLING HIS LIFE JACKET INTO THE WATER (SOUNDBITE) (English) SYRIAN REFUGEE WHO DECLINED TO GIVE NAME, SAYING: "In the last 20 days, it was almost impossible to reach Greece. There were many restrictions from the Turkish police and sometimes from Greek commandos or national commandos, we don't know who they are. But thank God, it is my first try in the water and I have succeeded." VARIOUS REFUGEES CARRYING BABIES FROM BOATS CHILD WITH LIFE JACKET COUGHING AS HE IS LED ALONG BY WOMAN (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN REFUGEE WHO DECLINED TO GIVE NAME, SAYING: "It was a wonderful journey, a little tiring but thank God we are now happy to have reached this country. We have immediately forgotten all the hardships we suffered the moment we arrived in this country. I don't have any children, I came here with my brother, his wife and daughter. I am married but without children. But we feel so happy to be here, you can't imagine how happy we are in our hearts right now, thank God. We praise and thank God." SYRIAN REFUGEE HOLDING TWO BABIES REFUGEE MOVING DINGHY VARIOUS OF REFUGEES ON THE SHORE AT DAWN CHILDREN LOOKING OUT TOWARD SEA CHILD THROWING STONE INTO THE SEA VARIOUS OF DINGHY ARRIVING ON THE SHORE AT DAWN VARIOUS OF REFUGEES GETTING OUT OF DINGHY (SOUNDBITE) (English) SYRIAN REFUGEE, MAJID, SAYING: "The next thing is to stay here because the group is very tired. Only staying here, up to now we are only staying here." REFUGEES ON THE BEACH/ SUN RISING OVER SEA
  • Embargoed: 27th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA2TO85RN1XY2G2K52UNPWO7I59
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Dinghies crammed with migrants and refugees landed on the shores of the Greek island of Kos in the early hours of Wednesday (August 12).
    Refugees who landed at night after crossing the Aegean from Turkey were jubilant at their safe arrival, embracing one another and cheering.
    Between 100 and 500 migrants were landing in Kos every day, a Greek coast guard official told Reuters.
    Many of those arriving in Greece are fleeing violence in Syria, the conflict in Afghanistan and other war zones in hopes of travelling further to other countries in the European Union.
    One Syrian refugee said those who arrived early on Wednesday had waited weeks to get on a rubber dinghy heading to Greece.
    "In the last 20 days, it was almost impossible to reach Greece. There were many restrictions from the Turkish police and sometimes from Greek commandos or national commandos, we don't know who they are."
    "It is my first try in the water and I have succeeded," said the Syrian man, who declined to give his name.
    Another Syrian refugee, who also declined to be identified, said she had fled from the embattled northern city of Aleppo and hoped to start a new life.
    "It was a wonderful journey, a little tiring but thank God we are now happy to have reached this country. We have immediately forgotten all the hardships we suffered the moment we arrived in this country. I don't have any children, I came here with my brother, his wife and daughter. I am married but without children. But we feel so happy to be here, you can't imagine how happy we are in our hearts right now, thank God. We praise and thank God," she said.
    Majid who is also from Syria said the group he arrived with only wanted to rest for a few days.
    "The group is very tired. Only staying here, up to now we are only staying here," Majid said.
    Kos Mayor Yorgos Kyritsis earlier said the island, including the police and coast guard, was unable to cope with the influx, adding he feared "blood would be shed."
    A Greek police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were plans to deploy riot police squads to the island.
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