ANKARA, Turkey -- The father of a 3-year-old boy photographed lying dead on a Turkish beach has described how their overloaded boat flipped over in the sea and he quickly realized his sons and his wife had drowned.
The photograph of Aylan Kurdi has highlighted the issue of desperate migrants risking their lives to try to reach Europe.
Abdullah Kurdi said Thursday that the boat's captain panicked due to high waves and jumped into the sea and fled, leaving him in control of the small craft.
"I took over and started steering. The waves were so high and the boat flipped. I took my wife and my kids in my arms and I realized they were all dead," he said.
The distraught father said: "All I want is to be with my children at the moment."
The powerful photographs of Aylan have sparked fresh debate about the deepening migrant crisis.
