7 Bangladeshis died on way to Italy identified

The seven Bangladeshis who died on the way to Italy from Libya due to prolonged exposure to extreme cold have been identified.

Their identities were disclosed on Sunday, said officials at the Bangladesh Mission in Rome.

The deceased were identified as Imran Hossain, Ratan, Shafayet, Zahirul, Bappi of Madaripur district, Sazzad of Sunamganj district and Saiful of Kishoreganj district.

Sources in Italy primarily confirmed that 273, out of 287 migrants, on board were from Bangladesh, and seven of them died, and the rest are Egyptian nationals, said the Bangladesh Mission in Rome.

A two-member team of the Bangladesh Mission in Rome talked to other migrants and confirmed their identities.

However, no identification was received from the Italian authorities.

The seven bodies of Bangladesh nationals have already been sent to Agrigento (a place in Sicily) to be kept in the mortuary till their repatriation and burial.

On receiving the information of the tragic incident on January 25, the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome has been in constant touch with the relevant Italian authorities, including two Honorary Consuls General of Bangladesh to Catania and Palermo to gather authentic information and take appropriate measures from the Bangladesh side, said the Bangladesh Mission in Rome on Friday night.

A two-member team, led by Md Arfanul Hoque, Counsellor (Labour Welfare), accompanied by an Italian-knowing official, reached Lampedusa island, Italy on January 26.

The Labour Councillor met Deputy Mayor of Lampedusa Prestipino Salvatore (Mayor was outside the station) on January 27.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the tragic incident and possible strategies and arrangements to prevent it in the future and closer coordination between the Italian side and the Embassy.