Hope turns to tragedy: At least 18 Bangladeshis die in Mediterranean

Jhinuk Mia still clutches her phone, replaying the last moments she heard her younger brother Naeem’s voice.

He had left their village in Jagannathpur with dreams of a better life in Europe, promising to return and rebuild their family’s future. For days, there was silence.

Then came the devastating news Naeem was gone, lost somewhere in the vast waters of the Mediterranean.

“We had no contact for days,” she said, her voice breaking. “Today I learned he has died. We want justice for this.”

At least 18 Bangladeshis have died while attempting to reach Greece through a dangerous and illegal sea route from Libya, exposing once again the deadly risks of human trafficking networks that lure migrants with false promises of a better life.

Among the victims were ten young men from Sunamganj, leaving entire communities in mourning and families shattered by grief and debt.

Survivors and officials describe a horrific journey marked by hunger, dehydration, and abuse, with some victims’ bodies reportedly thrown into the sea by traffickers.

Among the deceased, ten were youths from Sunamganj, casting a heavy shadow of grief over their hometowns.

Family members and local sources have painted a harrowing picture of the ordeal endured by the migrants.

They reportedly suffered extreme hardship due to a lack of food and clean water, severe weather conditions, and prolonged exposure at sea.

Many relatives revealed that each migrant had paid between Tk 11 and Tk 12 lakh to brokers in hopes of realising their dream of a better life abroad. Some sold their land, while others borrowed heavily to amass the required funds.

According to local sources, the deceased from Sunamganj include Aminur Rahman, Shayak Mia, Md Ali, Sohanur Rahman and Naeem of Jagannathpur Upazila; Nuruzzaman Sardar Moyna, Sahan Ehia, Sajidur Rahman and Mujibur Rahman of Dirai Upazila; and Avro Fahim of Doarabazar Upazila.

Zakaria, the elder brother of Sahan Ehia from Dirai, recounted, “Everyone, including my brother, signed a contract for 12 lakh taka.

After being taken to Libya, only half of the money was paid. We lost contact for several days. Later, I was informed he had died.”

Chairman of Chilaura Haldipur Union, Shahidul Islam Bakul, expressed his concern over the devastating impact on local families: “Two youths from my union have died.

They had given a large sum of money, and now the families are destitute.”

Police Inspector Md. Azizur Rahman of the Sunamganj Superintendent of Police’s Office confirmed that authorities had received reports of the deaths of eight people from Dirai and Jagannathpur, while information about two additional individuals was still being verified.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Mohammad Ilias Mia noted, “We are learning about the deaths of migrants from various local media. Since they did not use any legal agency, there is no official information about them.”

He added that Upazila Nirbahi Officers had been instructed to locate the families of victims and record all relevant information, enabling legal action against human traffickers.

The journey reportedly involved multiple stages. Survivors stated that migrants were first flown from Dhaka to Saudi Arabia, then transferred to Egypt, before being sent to Libya.

In Libya, they were detained for months in a facility known locally as a “Game Ghar” before being forced onto boats destined for Europe.

International reports suggest that the situation at sea was catastrophic.

According to the Greek Coast Guard, the vessel departed from the port of Tobruk, eastern Libya, on 21 March, heading for Greece. Passengers drifted at sea for six days without adequate food or water.

Severe weather conditions and exhaustion led to the deaths of 22 individuals, whose bodies were reportedly disposed of in the Mediterranean Sea on the instructions of smugglers.

The news agency AFP reported that among the survivors rescued were 21 Bangladeshis, four South Sudanese, and one Chadian.

Greek authorities have arrested two suspected traffickers, both South Sudanese nationals aged 19 and 22, who are now under investigation for illegal entry and negligent homicide.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam while talking with the journalists at the Foreign Ministry on Sunday condemned the incident, declaring that the Bangladeshi government would ensure exemplary punishment for the human traffickers responsible for the deaths.

“The long-term solution is to stop this inhumane act. Human traffickers must be punished under both domestic and international laws,” she stated.

She described the incident as “tragic and unacceptable” and emphasised that trafficking networks, often involving operatives from multiple countries, lure migrants with false promises, only to expose them to life-threatening journeys.

“Bangladesh missions abroad are maintaining constant communication with relevant authorities, particularly in Greece, to gather detailed information about the victims and survivors,” she said.

Efforts are underway to support the survivors, with authorities providing medical care, shelter, and processing identification and repatriation formalities.

Officials emphasised that identifying those responsible for the trafficking network remains a priority and insisted that all perpetrators, regardless of nationality, must face legal accountability.

State Minister Shama Obaed Islam highlighted the extreme conditions endured by the migrants, who reportedly spent six to seven days at sea without adequate food and water, resulting in multiple fatalities.

She called for stronger global action to dismantle these criminal networks and prevent further loss of life, describing human trafficking as “a grave violation of human dignity.”

The latest tragedy is not an isolated event. Many Bangladeshis aspiring to migrate to Europe through illegal routes face grave risks in deserts across Africa or at sea.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment is also actively involved in providing support to survivors and families of the deceased.

Migration experts say the problem runs deeper than individual choices as it reflects systemic failures.

“High migration costs, few legal pathways, and unemployment drive people to risk everything,” Tasneem Siddiqui, Professor of Political Science at the University of Dhaka and the founding Executive Director of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) told the New Nation.

“Until migration becomes regular and transparent, tragedies like this will continue,” she added.

“Going to Europe is like an addiction for many for better lives. People want to go to Europe, but Europe does not have policy for formal employment.

As Europe needs many people in informal sectors, these people -semi or unskilled – try to reach Europe at cost,” she said.

“But the such perilous journey is not auspicious for many people as many of them die in this trip or others return home empty handed after being exploited in human trafficking,” she stressed.