Sorrow grips Bangladesh after 23 migrants drown in the Mediterranean
The boat that set sail from the Libyan coast for Italy on 25 January carried 56 people. At least 10 of the dead came from Rajoir Upazila where residents recognised the photos of their lifeless bodies. The victims left home because of poverty and unemployment, taking out loans worth thousands of dollars to pay traffickers. The authorities pledge to arrest the intermediaries.
Madaripur (AsiaNews) – Bangladeshi nationals are among the migrants who died recently trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, hoping to reach Europe.
Out of 56 people on the same boat, 23 bodies were recovered from the Libyan coast, presumed to be from Bangladesh.
At least 10 of the victims, who left for Italy in the hope of a better future, came from Rajoir, plunging the Upazila (Subdistrict), Madaripur District, into deep mourning.
The families of these young people are under shock. Relatives now demand the authorities take action against those responsible and bring back the bodies.
Titu Howlader, son of Hasan Matbar, from the village of Paschim Swaramangal, was among those who undertook the dangerous journey, local sources report.
He tragically lost his life when the boat - which had left the African continent on 25 January - capsized in the Mediterranean Sea.
His mother, Kulsum Begum, was inconsolable when she saw the picture of her son's body on her mobile phone, fainting repeatedly from the pain.
Many Bangladeshis are taking the risky journey to Europe because of poverty, unemployment and the false promises of traffickers.
Social pressure, climate change and political instability are also driving people to seek a better future abroad where many face exploitation, abuse, and deadly risks en route.
“I want my son back. He was my only child. I raised him with immense hardship,” she said, weeping. “I gave Rafiq Dalal 1.6 million taka (around US$ 13,100). He promised to send my son safely.”
Titu’s father, Hasan Hawladar, also broke down in tears. “I worked hard and took loans to send my son abroad. Now, how will I repay my debts? I have lost everything,” he said, crushed. “Yesterday, the broker sent me a picture of my son’s lifeless body. What am I supposed to do now?”
All were between 20 and 30 years old. After informing the families of their deaths via mobile phone, the intermediaries responsible for sending them on this perilous journey disappeared.
The authorities are now under pressure to track down those involved in this human trafficking network and ensure justice for the victims and their bereaved families.
According to police, villagers and families of the victims, Titu Howlader left home for Italy on 1 January.
His uncle, Abul Bashar Akon from Gobindapur, also went with him. The two arrived in Libya before leaving on a motorboat on 25 January. Tragically, both uncle and nephew lost their lives.
News about their deaths, yesterday morning, cast a deep shadow of sorrow over their families. Reports indicate that at least 10 people from Rajoir Upazila died attempting the crossing.
A few days ago, the Libyan Red Crescent recovered a total of 23 bodies, which were in a state of decomposition and had to be buried. The authorities believe that they were all Bangladeshi nationals.
Like Titu's parents, the other families also took out high-interest loans or even sold their land to pay the traffickers. Now they have to face not only immense pain, but also the crushing weight of debts.
The traffickers – the main culprits in this tragedy – have been identified as Swapan Matubbar from the village of Haridasdi (Rajoir), Monir Hawladar from the village of Majumdarkandi, and Rafiq Dalal from Alipur, Bhanga Upazila (Faridpur). After the accident, they went into hiding, and are untraceable.
“These brokers, Monir Hawladar and Swapan Majumdar, took Tk. 2.8 million (US$ 23,000), promising to send my son safely to Italy. I cannot accept my son's death like this. I demand strict justice for these criminals,” said Akkas Ali Akon, Abul Bashar’s anguished father.
“We have received reports from various sources that 10 youths from Rajoir Upazila died in Libya while attempting to reach Italy,” Rajoir Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Masud Khan said. “Strict action will be taken against the brokers once families file formal complaints. We have already arrested brokers with warrants and handed them over to the court.”
“Necessary steps will be taken to bring back the bodies of the deceased,” said Madaripur Additional District Magistrate Shah Mohammad Sajeeb. “The district administration is actively working with the embassy to facilitate this process.”
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