Distressing images have been released which show the washed-up body of a Syrian boy on a Turkish beach.
Warning: some readers may find the images in this article upsetting
It is believed the child drowned as he travelled in an inflatable boat to the Greek island of Kos, and officials are seen tending to him as he lies face down in the sand.
A policeman cradles the boy’s body and takes him away from the scene.
His body was found in Bodrum - the popular resort in southwest Turkey.
According to Turkish media, the three-year-old boy was called Aylan Kurdi. He and his family had travelled from the Syrian town of Kobani, where Islamic State has been involved in heavy fighting in recent months.
The pictures and video were tweeted by journalist Sakir Khader, who wrote: "He survived the violence of the Syrian war, but died on his way to a new peaceful life in Europe."
Sixteen people were on the dinghy when it sank, the Dogan news agency reported, and Aylan's five-year-old brother also drowned.
In total, at least 11 refugees are confirmed to have died, and others are missing.
Many of those who lost their lives had to be pulled out of the water by locals. A mother and three children were among those killed.
He survived the violence of the #Syria|n war, but died on his way to a new peaceful life in #Europe. pic.twitter.com/rnhM7SLFt4
— Sakir Khader (@sakirkhader) September 2, 2015
The pictures of the young boy have seen a major response online this evening, with several British newspapers including the Independent featuring the images on their front pages tomorrow.
Thousands of refugees have made the same perilous journey in recent months after arriving in Turkey from war-torn Syria.
According to one aid agency, about 2,000 people attempt to make the short but dangerous crossing to Greece’s eastern islands in unsafe vessels every day.
Those who make it to Greece then travel through the Balkan states of Macedonia and Serbia – countries which have been overwhelmed by the exodus.
They are attempting to reach Hungary, but the EU member state has erected a temporary razor-wire fence to control the flow of refugees and economic migrants.
As a result, there are fears that dangerous bottlenecks could form along the border that Hungary shares with Serbia.
France, Germany and Italy have signed a document, calling for asylum seekers to be fairly distributed across EU member states.
Meanwhile, one of the largest rescue missions carried out by an Irish vessel has taken place today,
Over 1,500 people were rescued in the Mediterranean.
Jane Anne McKenna is Director of Medecins San Frontieres Ireland:
