Bangladeshi youths continue attempting irregular sea crossings from Libya to Italy or Greece despite deaths, disappearances, abuse and extortion, the report says. In March, at least 18 Bangladeshis died while travelling from Libya toward Greece, including 12 from Sunamganj. On August 3, a boat carrying 42 people, including 38 Bangladeshis, left Libya for Greece; 10 people, including nine Bangladeshis, died after the vessel broke down and ran out of fuel.

Survivors reached Egypt's Marsa Matruh coast on August 13 after nearly 10 days at sea, and police took them for hospital treatment. Families described paying brokers millions of taka and losing contact with relatives during the journey. Frontex data cited in the report show 20,259 Bangladeshis entered Europe across the Mediterranean in 2025, while 4,249 reached Italy and 3,608 reached Greece from Libya in the first half of 2026.

IOM data recorded at least 1,329 Bangladeshi deaths and 859 disappearances on nine irregular migration routes between 2015 and 2025. Migration expert Asif Munir called for awareness campaigns, law enforcement and international coordination. Expatriates' Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said action was being planned against trafficking networks, alongside a month-long awareness campaign in several districts.