It’s a small step in a long and uncertain escape from civil war and the Islamic State in Syria and difficult circumstances in other nations — but perhaps one of the most emotional.
The beaches of Sikamia (pronounced si-kam-YAH) on the eastern Greek island of Lesbos are Europe’s busiest landing point for people desperate to reach the continent.
On a typical day, more than 20 dinghies and boats arrive here, packed mostly with people who cannot swim.
New arrivals face a three-day mountainous trek to island’s main town before the start-stop journey begins in earnest across countries that do little to make them feel welcome.
But before it all begins again, there’s a brief moment to celebrate on the beaches of Lesbos.
Parents hug their young children, many showing an outburst of relief and emotion, a sight that leaves few who scramble over rocks to record it unaffected.
Here is a gallery of images by Associated Press Photographer Petros Giannakouris capturing scenes of people arriving in Europe.
In this Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015 file photo, migrants arrive on a dinghy from Turkey to Lesbos island, Greece. More than 250,000 people have reached Greece clandestinely so far this year, the vast majority of them Syrians or Afghans fleeing conflict at home. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
In this photo made on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015, Syrian refugees react as they arrive after crossing aboard a dinghy from Turkey, on the island of Lesbos, Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
In this Monday, Sept. 7, 2015 file photo, a young Syrian boy is wrapped with a thermal blanket as he arrives with others migrants at the coast on a dinghy after crossing from Turkey, at the island of Lesbos, Greece, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015 file photo, a man jumps in the sea from a dinghy full of migrants that suffered engine failure about 40 meters far from the coast as they arrive from Turkey to Lesbos island, Greece. On a typical day, more than 20 dinghies and boats arrive here, packed with people who mostly cannot swim. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
In this Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015 photo, migrants arrive on a dinghy behind a huge pile of life vests after crossing from Turkey to Greece, at Lesbos island. Greece has been overwhelmed this year by record numbers of migrants. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015 photo, Afghan refugees climb up to a field after arriving from Turkey to Lesbos island, Greece, on a dinghy. They have to walk around 55 kilometers (34 miles) to reach the capital of Lesvos, Mytillini. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015 photo, a woman and a man kiss as they arrive with others migrants from Turkey to Lesbos island, Greece, on a dinghy. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File)
In this Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015 photo, migrants and refugees arrive on a dinghy after crossing from Turkey to Lesbos island, Greece, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015. On a typical day, more than 20 dinghies and boats arrive here, packed with people who mostly cannot swim. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File)
In this Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015 photo, a Syrian refugee gives milk to his daughter after they arrived from Turkey to Lesbos island, Greece, on a dinghy. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris,File)
In this Monday, Sept. 7, 2015 photo, a volunteer helps a Syrian boy as he arrived with others at the coast on a dinghy after crossing from Turkey, at the island of Lesbos, Greece, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File)
In this Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015 photo, Syrian refugees arrive aboard a dinghy after crossing from Turkey to the island of Lesbos, Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File)
In this Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 photo, a Syrian woman embraces her child after they arrive with others migrants from Turkey to Lesbos island, Greece, on a dinghy, Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015 photo, a dinghy full of migrants is towed to the cost by a fishing boat as a refugee wrapped with a thermal blanket looks on, at Lesbos island, Greece. The dinghy suffered engine failure. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File)
In this Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 photo, a woman takes a shower as a dinghy full of migrants approach from Turkey to Lesbos island, Greece, Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
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