22 Migrants Die off Greece While Heading to Europe

Photo: Collected

At least 22 migrants died after a rubber boat capsized off the coast of Greece while they were trying to reach Europe from Libya. Most of the victims are believed to be from Bangladesh and Sudan.

The Greek Coast Guard said on Friday that 26 people were rescued alive from the same boat, including 21 Bangladeshis. Search operations were still underway to trace the missing.

Authorities and survivors said at least 10 of the dead were from Sunamganj district.

Local sources and family members identified several victims as Nuruzzaman Moyna, 38, Sajidur Rahman, 32, and Shahan Ehia, 25, from Tarapasha village in Dirai upazila, and Mujibur Rahman, 45, from Ranar Char village.

The other confirmed victims include Fahim Ahmed Munna, 20, from Kabirnagar village in Dowarabazar upazila, along with five others from Jagannathpur upazila — Mohammad Suhanur, Sheikh Ahmed, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Naeem and Aminur Rahman.

According to relatives, the victims had set out for Greece through Libya with the help of local human traffickers in the hope of finding better opportunities abroad. Fahim had earlier travelled to Libya from Saudi Arabia before joining the sea journey.

Those rescued near the island of Crete included not only Bangladeshis, but also nationals of South Sudan and Chad. Two survivors were admitted to Heraklion Hospital in critical condition.

The tragedy has left the affected areas of Sunamganj in deep mourning, with families urging the government to help bring back the bodies.

Additional Superintendent of Police Sujan Chandra Sarkar said reports of four deaths from Dirai upazila had been received through various channels, although official confirmation was still awaited.