European Refugee Crisis: The shocking image of the dead baby on the beach will haunt you

On Wednesday, Syrian refugees drowned off the coast of the Greek island of Kos, after the boats carrying them sank. Bodies possibly connected with the disaster, washed ashore on a beach in the Turkish town of Bodrum,reported the Washington Times.  Numerous and graphic images of the dead made its way on to social media, including those of young children.

The most disturbing one among them was that of an infant who had drowned. It is the image of his lifeless body washed ashore, that has become a symbol of the Mediterranean refugee crisis.

Read: Why are people risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea?

Thousands of desperate refugees from Syria have been attempting to cross over to Europe through the dangerous Mediterranean passage to escape the violence in their country. Since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011, it has been reported close to half of Syria's population, (11 million) have either died or fled their homes, while four million have been forced to leave. 

Wednesday's horrific scene is a reality check on the turmoil in Syria and the urgent need for safer legal routes for refugees.

Read: Refugees not Migrants: How Europe is misleading the world on the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean

Also Read: US to welcome 5,000 to 8,000 Syrian refugees in 2016​