Father of drowned Syrian boy Alan Kurdi urges Europe to leave door open for migration

The father of Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old boy who drowned a year ago as his family fled Syria, has urged Europe to keep its doors open to migrants.

Abdullah Kurdi told the BBC he still hoped that world leaders could stop the war in Syria.

Haunting images of Alan’s body lying on a Turkish beach a year ago focused world attention on the refugee crisis.

Alan’s brother Galib and mother Rihan also drowned when their boat sank en route to the Greek island of Kos.

Abdullah Kurdi survived and now lives in northern Iraq.

He told the BBC’s Fergal Keane that he thinks of his sons every day, but the first anniversary of their deaths on 2 September is particularly difficult.