B.C. woman says she tried to sponsor Syrian relatives who drowned off Turkey

By The Canadian Press

A Vancouver-area woman had been trying to sponsor three Syrian relatives – including her two young nephews – and their mother, who drowned off the Turkish coast.

They were among at least 12 migrants, including five children, who drowned Wednesday when two boats carrying them to the Greek island of Kos capsized.

Fin Donnelly, who is running for re-election in Port Moody-Coquitlam, told The Canadian Press that five-year-old Galib Kurdi and his three-year-old brother Alan died along with their mother, Rehan.

The boys’ father, Abdullah, survived.

Donnelly said he delivered a letter on behalf of Tima Kurdi, Abdullah’s sister, to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander in March but that the sponsorship request was not approved.

Donnelly said Tima received the “horrific news” Wednesday and saw photographs taken at the beach where the bodies washed ashore – a photo of one of the children was shown on newscasts and in social media.

“This tragic loss is just heart-wrenching to go through,” Donnelly said.

“She was just completely upset and heartbroken.”

Donnelly said Tima has not made any immediate plans but had mentioned a possible service locally.

“She did say that she’s spoken to her brother and it’s very hard for him to even want to stay alive at this point, knowing what he’s going through.”

The route between Bodrum and Kos, just a few miles, is one of the shortest from Turkey to the Greek islands but remains dangerous. Hundreds of migrants a day attempt the perilous sea crossing despite the risks.

Alexander released a statement Thursday about the crisis, saying he was ‘saddened’ to see the horrific photos. He also said Canada has settled nearly 22,000 Iraqis and 2,300 Syrians.

With files from The Associated Press

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