22 Migrants (Including 18 Bangladeshis, 12 from Sunamganj) Die in Mediterranean Sea Boat Tragedy
Twenty-two migrants, including 18 Bangladeshi nationals, died from starvation, dehydration, and fuel exhaustion while stranded for six days in a small rubber boat while attempting to reach Greece from Libya. The incident, involving a group of 45 people who departed Libya on March 21, 2026, resulted in deaths including 12 youths from Sunamganj (6 from Dirai, 5 from Jagannathpur, and 1 from Doarabazar). Two survivors were hospitalized in Greece. Authorities have filed cases against human traffickers and arrested Mohammad Mikail Islam (52).
Affected scope
2 Records| Scope | Source wording |
|---|---|
| 3 · upazilla | সুনামগঞ্জের দিরাই, জগন্নাথপুর ও দোয়ারাবাজার উপজেলা |
| 1 · district | সুনামগঞ্জ |
3 · upazilla
সুনামগঞ্জের দিরাই, জগন্নাথপুর ও দোয়ারাবাজার উপজেলা1 · district
সুনামগঞ্জInvolved entities
1 RecordSmall rubber migrant smuggling boat
Named victims
9 Records| Name/Occupation | Age/Gender | Status | Injury description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Fahim | Dead | — | |
| Fahim Ahmed Munna | 20 | Dead | — |
| Mohibur Rahman | 20 · Male | Dead | — |
| Mujibur Rahman | Dead | — | |
| Nuruzzaman Sardar Moyna | Dead | — | |
| Sahan Ehia | Dead | — | |
| Sajidur Rahman | Dead | — | |
| Shayek Ahmed | 23 | Dead | — |
| Sohanur Rahman | Dead | — |
Abu Fahim
Fahim Ahmed Munna
Mohibur Rahman
Mujibur Rahman
Nuruzzaman Sardar Moyna
Sahan Ehia
Sajidur Rahman
Shayek Ahmed
Sohanur Rahman
Causative Person
4 Records| Name | Age | Role | Legal status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azizul Islam | — | Human trafficker (broker) | — |
| Mohammad Mikail Islam | 52 | Human trafficker | Arrested |
| Jamal Uddin | — | Human trafficker | — |
| Abdur Rahim alias Josim Uddin | — | Human trafficker | — |
Azizul Islam
Human trafficker (broker)Mohammad Mikail Islam
Human traffickerArrestedJamal Uddin
Human traffickerAbdur Rahim alias Josim Uddin
Human traffickerAgencies deployed
Local Administration
District or Upazila level government authorities
The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) visited victim families to offer condolences and is compiling a list of human traffickers. Two cases have been filed against nine human traffickers.
Bangladesh Police
Law enforcement agency maintaining public order and security
CID and local police at Jagannathpur and Dirai police stations arrested a member of the human trafficking gang and are conducting an investigation into the international network.