DHAKA, Feb 20, 2024 (BSS) - The foreign ministry today revealed identities of
the eight Bangladeshis who died as their boat capsized while attempting to
cross the Mediterranean Sea.
 
The victims are identified as Sajal, Nayan Biswas, Mamun Seikh, Kazi Sajeeb
and Kaisar from Rajoir upazila of Madaripur district while Rifat, Russell and
Imrul Kayes Apon from the Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj district.
 
The ill-fated incident took place when a boat carrying a group comprised with
Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Egyptians, Syrians, and Egyptian nationals --
embarking on an unauthorized voyage from Libya to Europe -- capsized off the
Tunisian coast in the early hours of February 14.
 
Rescue operations later recovered the bodies of the eight Bangladeshis and
one Pakistani, which were subsequently transferred to local hospitals.

The rescue team rescued 44 individuals alive while among the survivors 27 are
Bangladeshi nationals.
 
Among the Bangladeshi victims, seven were traveling without passports, said
the press release.