Yusra Mardini left Syria primarily in search of safety, as her home country had become increasingly perilous due to the ongoing conflict.
The Urgent Need for Safety
By 2015, Yusra Mardini and her elder sister, Sara, had endured four years of severe conflict in Syria, facing constant threats from shelling and snipers. The escalating dangers made it impossible to continue living safely, prompting their decision to leave. Their departure was a direct response to the dire circumstances and the overwhelming need to find a secure environment away from the war zone.
The Perilous Journey to Europe
Driven by the search for a new beginning and personal security, Yusra and Sara embarked on a challenging journey:
- Departure from Syria: They decided to leave Syria in 2015.
- Initial Route: Their path led them first through Lebanon, and then onward to Turkey.
- Sea Crossing: From Turkey, they arranged to be smuggled by boat into Greece. This leg of their journey proved to be extremely dangerous, as they quickly found themselves in peril once more, highlighting the risks refugees undertake in their quest for safety.
The sisters' arduous journey underscored the critical reasons for their departure: to escape the violence and instability of their homeland and to find a place where they could live without constant fear for their lives.
