These are the 2019 World Press Photo Contest winners

12 April 2019

US photographer John Moore has won the prestigious 2019 World Press Photo for his image Crying Girl on the Border.

The World Press Photo Foundation announced the results of the 62nd annual World Press Photo Contest and the 9th annual World Press Photo Digital Storytelling Contest at its annual Awards Show in Amsterdam, overnight.

Crying Girl on the Border. Yana, from Honduras, cries as her mother Sandra Sanchez is searched by a US Border Patrol agent, in McAllen, Texas, USA, on 12 June. © John Moore, Getty Images — © John Moore, Getty Images

In Moore's winning image, Honduran toddler Yanela Sanchez cries as she and her mother, Sandra Sanchez, are taken into custody by US border officials in McAllen, Texas, USA, on 12 June. Immigrant families had rafted across the Rio Grande from Mexico and were then detained by US authorities. Sandra Sanchez said that she and her daughter had been traveling for a month through Central America and Mexico before reaching the US to seek asylum.

The Trump Administration had announced a ‘zero tolerance’ policy at the border under which immigrants caught entering the US could be criminally prosecuted. As a result, many apprehended parents were separated from their children, often sent to different detention facilities.

After this picture was published worldwide, US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that Yanela and her mother had not been among the thousands who had been separated by US officials. Nevertheless, public outcry over the controversial practice resulted in President Donald Trump reversing the policy on 20 June.

Speaking about the image, Moore said the image was touching.

“I think that this image touched many people’s hearts as it did mine because it humanized a larger story."

In another stellar year for Australian photographers in the competition, Getty photographer Chris McGrath won the General News - Singles category, with his image The Disappearance of Jamal Kashoggi:

The Disappearance of Jamal Kashoggi. An unidentified man tries to hold back the press on 15 October, as Saudi investigators arrive at the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, amid a growing international backlash to the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. © Chris McGrath, Getty Images.

Sydney-based Reuters photographer David Gray was runner-up in the Sports Singles category with his image Sunlight Serve:

Sunlight Serve © David Gray, Reuters. Naomi Osaka serves during her match against Simona Halep from Romania during the Australian Open tennis tournament, at Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, Australia, on 22 January.

And finally in the spot news - stories category, Australian photographer Andrew Quilty came third for his series Ambulance Bomb:

Victims lie along Chicken Street after the blast. Ambulance Bomb © Andrew Quilty, for The New York Times

This year the World Press Photo Foundation introduced the World Press Photo Story of the Year award, with the jury choosing The Migrant Caravan by Pieter Ten Hoopen, as the first winner. His photo essay covered the caravan of migrants from central America heading to the US border during October and November 2018.

A girl pick flowers during the day’s walk from Tapanatepec to Niltepec, a distance of 50 km. © Pieter Ten Hoopen, Agence Vu/Civilian Act

A father and son sleep after a long day’s walking, Juchitán, 30 October 2018. © Pieter Ten Hoopen, Agence Vu/Civilian Act

People run to a truck that has stopped to give them a ride, outside Tapanatepec, Mexico, on 30 October 2018. Some drivers charged to give travelers a lift for part of the way, but most offered services free as a sign of support. © Pieter Ten Hoopen, Agence Vu/Civilian Act

Families bathe, wash clothes and relax beside the Rio Novillero, when the caravan takes a rest day near Tapanatepec. © Pieter Ten Hoopen, Agence Vu/Civilian Act

You can see all the single image category award winning images below, and the full list of winners and runners-up for every category on the World Press Photo website.