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Milan Central Station at dawn. Migrants flow in to the station daily, arriving from Sicily taking buses and trains. Milan Central Station is where the first part of their journey onwards in to Europe begins.
Milan Central Station at dawn. Migrants flow in to the station daily, arriving from Sicily taking buses and trains. Milan Central Station is where the first part of their journey onwards in to Europe begins.



PART II: MILAN

The story of Hashem Al Souki and his migration from Syria to Sweden risking his life crossing the Mediterranean, and setting his sights on Sweden – and freedom for his family.



Link to the interactive:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2015/jun/09/a-migrants-journey-from-syria-to-sweden-interactive

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A makeshift reception center for migrants has been set up through the Milan municipality and volunteers. The reception center is on the mezzanine floor between stair cases leading to the train platforms and under a large advertisement.
A makeshift reception center for migrants has been set up through the Milan municipality and volunteers. The reception center is on the mezzanine floor between stair cases leading to the train platforms and under a large advertisement.
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Hashem Al Souky look out towards the courtyard of Milan Central Station. Al Souky plans to reach Sweden but is unsure whether to take a smuggling taxi onwards or take his chances of being thrown back to Italy if he were to take multiple trains.
Hashem Al Souky look out towards the courtyard of Milan Central Station. Al Souky plans to reach Sweden but is unsure whether to take a smuggling taxi onwards or take his chances of being thrown back to Italy if he were to take multiple trains.
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Hashem Al Souky cries during his first phone call to his family since his arival to Italy.
Hashem Al Souky cries during his first phone call to his family since his arival to Italy.
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Hashem Al Souky holds up the number given to him upon his arrival to Sicily. Al Souky said he was numbered and photographed but refused to be finger printed, lessening his chances of being returned to Italy if he were to succeed in arriving in Italy.
Hashem Al Souky holds up the number given to him upon his arrival to Sicily. Al Souky said he was numbered and photographed but refused to be finger printed, lessening his chances of being returned to Italy if he were to succeed in arriving in Italy.
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Hashem Al Souky's personal belongings from his backpack upon arrival. A notebook and journal where he chronicled his journey, his cell phone and the key to his home in Syria, which he says he took at the last moment.
Hashem Al Souky's personal belongings from his backpack upon arrival. A notebook and journal where he chronicled his journey, his cell phone and the key to his home in Syria, which he says he took at the last moment.
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Hashem Al Souky's diary he wrote in during his crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
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Inside Milan Central Station with people heading towards trains. Many migrants arrive to Milan unsure how to carry on during their journey. With limited spaces in reception facilities or camps, many spend nights at the train station until they can secure money to continue their journey to other European countries.

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Hashem Al Souky sits among migrants at the makeshift reception center inside Milan's Central Station.
Hashem Al Souky sits among migrants at the makeshift reception center inside Milan's Central Station.
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Volunteers introduce themselves to migrants at the makeshift reception area in Milan Central Station. Many of the volunteers speak Arabic, Italian and English and offer advice and assistance to newly arrived migrants.
Volunteers introduce themselves to migrants at the makeshift reception area in Milan Central Station. Many of the volunteers speak Arabic, Italian and English and offer advice and assistance to newly arrived migrants.
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Volunteers serve migrants warm tea. The majority of materials are donated from the volunteers and the community.
Volunteers serve migrants warm tea. The majority of materials are donated from the volunteers and the community.
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Migrants are seen at the top of the esclators on the Mezzanine floor of Milan Central Station at night. Many who have not found shelter in the municipality's camps stay overnight until they either have a place or get enough money to continue their onward journey in to Europe.

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Hashem Al Souky and other migrants discuss returning to the camp and the metro stops required to reach there. He will make a decision later in the evening whether he will get on a train or take a taxi for his onward journey to Sweden.
Hashem Al Souky and other migrants discuss returning to the camp and the metro stops required to reach there. He will make a decision later in the evening whether he will get on a train or take a taxi for his onward journey to Sweden.
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Hashem and his companions make their way to a camp run by the Milan municipality for the night until they can decide how to continue their onward journey through Europe. 

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Hashem al Souky and other migrants ask a Syrian woman and her son how to get to the camp, she then shows them the way.
Hashem al Souky and other migrants ask a Syrian woman and her son how to get to the camp, she then shows them the way.
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A portrait of Hashem al Souky outisde Milan municipality's camp where he will spend the night. He must make a decision on how to continue his journey to Sweden.
A portrait of Hashem al Souky outisde Milan municipality's camp where he will spend the night. He must make a decision on how to continue his journey to Sweden.
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Hashem Al Souky arrives at Milan Central Station the day he decided he will take his chances by train to get to Sweden. "If I fail," he says,"at least I'll still have money to try again."
Hashem Al Souky arrives at Milan Central Station the day he decided he will take his chances by train to get to Sweden. "If I fail," he says,"at least I'll still have money to try again."
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Hashem Al Souky purchases a train ticket to Ventemiglia, just across the Italian border in France. From there he will take multiple trains through three countries before arriving to Sweden.
Hashem Al Souky purchases a train ticket to Ventemiglia, just across the Italian border in France. From there he will take multiple trains through three countries before arriving to Sweden.
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Hashem Al Souky on board the train that will take him onwards from Milan to France and then multiple stops until he reaches Sweden.
Hashem Al Souky on board the train that will take him onwards from Milan to France and then multiple stops until he reaches Sweden.
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