Lifejackets left behind by migrants on the Greek island of Lesbos have been repurposed into a massive peace sign, lending the bright orange vests another chance to draw international attention to the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean.
As part of a joint effort between Greenpeace and Médecins Sans Frontières, the lifejackets – which number in the thousands – were assembled into the iconic sign over New Year’s. Jackets retrieved from migrants who died at sea have also been included in the sign. Over 700 people are reported to have drowned in the Aegean Sea surrounding the island over the past 12 months.
“It is a plastic tsunami.” More than 450,000 life jackets left behind by refugees on Lesbos https://t.co/hgEWSIaHQc pic.twitter.com/fQkAsEzeE9
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 30, 2015