At least 22 migrants died and 26 others were rescued after a boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea while traveling illegally from Libya to Greece. Among the rescued, 21 are Bangladeshi nationals, and initial reports indicate that at least 10 of the deceased were from Sunamganj. Survivors said the deaths occurred due to a lack of food and water after the boat drifted longer than expected.

During a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam said the Bangladesh Embassy in Greece is in contact with survivors to verify their identities and current conditions. Injured individuals have been hospitalized, while others are being kept in a camp. She emphasized that proper identification is essential to facilitate the repatriation process in coordination with Greek authorities.

The minister stated that an organized international human trafficking network operating in Bangladesh and Libya was behind the incident. She directed law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible under both international and Bangladeshi law, stressing the need for long-term measures to prevent human trafficking.