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Bodies of 7 Lebanese from same family who drowned trying to reach Europe are brought home

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Relatives of the Safwan family mourn near the ambulances carrying the coffins, upon their arrival at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. A rubber boat carrying a family of 12 of their relatives to European shores sunk, drowning seven while tow are still missing. The Lebanese family tragedy highlights how the flood of refugees is encouraging more disenchanted around the region to take the journey to Europe, expected to get riskier in winter. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) (The Associated Press)

Friends and relatives of the Safwan family mourn near the ambulances carrying the coffins, upon their arrival at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. A rubber boat carrying a family of 12 of their relatives to European shores sunk, drowning seven while tow are still missing. The Lebanese family tragedy highlights how the flood of refugees is encouraging more disenchanted around the region to take the journey to Europe, expected to get riskier in winter. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) (The Associated Press)

The mother of Moustafa Safwan, 12, left, mourns near the ambulances carrying the coffins as she holds his picture, upon their arrival at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. A rubber boat carrying a family of 12 of their relatives to European shores sunk, drowning seven while tow are still missing. The Lebanese family tragedy highlights how the flood of refugees is encouraging more disenchanted around the region to take the journey to Europe, expected to get riskier in winter. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) (The Associated Press)

The bodies of seven Lebanese migrants from the same family who drowned when their boat capsized on the way to Europe have been brought back to their homeland from Turkey.

Relatives screamed and wept as the bodies arrived in Beirut on Wednesday.

The disaster has all but wiped out the Safwan family, who were among the flood of refugees and migrants who have embarked on perilous journeys seeking a better life in Europe.

The father and mother, their two young daughters, and five other relatives drowned when their boat was punctured and sank Oct. 12.

Rescuers are still looking for two of the bodies. Three passengers on the boat survived, including one who has been taken into Turkish custody.