The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday revealed the identities of eight Bangladeshis who had met a tragic fate while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
The individuals, embarking on an unauthorized voyage from Libya to Europe, drowned in an incident that underscores the perilous journey faced by many seeking a better life abroad.
The victims, identified as Sajal, Nayan Biswas, Mamun Seikh, Kazi Sajeeb, Kaisar, Rifat, Russell and Imrul Kayes Apon, hailed from the Madaripur and Gopalganj of Bangladesh.
Specifically, the first five victims originated from various villages within Rajoir upazila of Madaripur, while the remaining were from Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj.
The journey began on February 13, when a boat carrying individuals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt and Syria set sail from a Libyan coastal area with hopes of reaching Europe.
The group comprised 27 Bangladeshis, eight Pakistanis, three Egyptians, five Syrians and an Egyptian individual who navigated the boat.
However, their aspirations were cut short when the vessel capsized off the Tunisian coast in the early hours of February 14.
Rescuers later recovered the bodies of the eight Bangladeshis and one Pakistani, which were subsequently transferred to local hospitals.
The foreign ministry’s report further highlighted that among the Bangladeshi victims, seven had been travelling without passports, indicating the desperate measures taken by individuals in pursuit of better opportunities.
