Nizar was a Syrian refugee who, along with his sister Yusra Mardini, fled their war-torn country. They survived a perilous sea crossing to Europe, during which they heroically helped to save their fellow refugees by swimming for hours in the open water when their dinghy’s engine failed.
In more detail, Nizar Mardini’s story is one of courage and survival. In the summer of 2015, Nizar and his sister Yusra decided to leave Syria due to the escalating conflict. They reached Lebanon and then Turkey, where they arranged to be smuggled into Greece. During the Aegean Sea crossing, the small inflatable dinghy they were in, designed for six but carrying 20 refugees, began taking on water. The situation became life-threatening when the dinghy’s engine stopped working.
Understanding the gravity of their situation and being trained swimmers, Nizar, Yusra, and two others jumped into the sea to lighten the load and began pushing the dinghy towards the Greek island of Lesbos. For more than three hours, they swam in open water, fighting exhaustion and the treacherous sea until they reached the island, saving not only their lives but also those of the people on board.
This incredible act of bravery and endurance is a testament to the human spirit and the desperate measures refugees often take to seek safety. Nizar’s story, alongside his sister’s, gained international attention, highlighting the plight of Syrian refugees. Yusra went on to compete as a swimmer in the Rio 2016 Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic Team, symbolizing hope for refugees worldwide. Nizar’s journey, while less publicized, remains an integral part of their shared experience and the broader narrative of the refugee crisis.