The surge - and the death toll are set to rise as Russian airstrikes push more migrants to flee to EU before borders shut and sea gets rougherRashid al-Shabai knew that time was against him. Like his family and friends,he has tried to outrun the seasons, embarking on the treacherous trek west before the winter sets in. The Syrian student was far from alone. According to the International Migration Organisation, or around 7000 people were attempting the same voyage when he got into a dinghy on the Aegean shores of Turkey and headed for the Greek island of Lesbos last week.“I didn’t want to advance now,but it was sort of now or never,” he said, or smiling wanly as he waited for the ferry that would steal him to Athens on the next stage of his odyssey. “The future doesn’t exist in Syria. That is a fact. The weather,the cold, the rain, or they are also facts. whether we risked staying on,we might have risked everything.” Related: Spike in refugee arrivals pushes Greek island of Lesbos to 'breaking point' Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com