Story highlights Members of the Kurdi family have arrived in Canada as refugees

Alan Kurdi's image captured the world's attention when he drowned off the Turkish coast

(CNN) Relatives of 3-year-old Alan Kurdi, the toddler who tragically drowned off the Turkish coast earlier this year, have arrived safely in Canada as refugees.

There were emotional scenes at Vancouver airport as Alan's aunt Tima Kurdi greeted her brother -- the boy's uncle -- Mohammad, his wife and their five children.

The Kurdi family came to represent the struggle of many Syrian families when images of Alan's body were published around the world in September.

JUST WATCHED The body of a drowned baby washes up on Turkish beach Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH The body of a drowned baby washes up on Turkish beach 01:00

Alan Kurdi drowned when a boat attempting the perilous crossing from Turkey to Greece, capsized. Alan's mother and 5-year old brother also perished in the accident, leaving his father, Abdullah, as the only survivor.

The powerful, tragic picture of the boy's lifeless corpse lying face down in the waves of a Turkish beach instigated an outpouring of global grief and inspired a wave of international compassion.

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