More than 15,000 Bangladeshi migrants arrived on Italian shores in 2022, double the number of the previous year. Many are in transit or traveling from Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates or Egypt. Families, desperate because their children disappeared at sea, say they paid huge sums for the trip.
Dhaka () – In 2022, more than 15,000 Bangladeshi migrants arrived in Italy from Libya, double the number of the previous year (7,838) and represent just over 14% of all those who arrived, making it the third most represented. The journey from Bangladesh to Libya through a third country is already an established practice among migrants. Many make the journey hoping for a better future, but often the journey turns into a nightmare. In the first three months of the year, and after more than 20,000 landings, almost 500 people died or disappeared, also in this case, many coming from Bangladesh.
In one of the latest tragedies at sea, of the 30 missing people (17 were rescued and brought to safety in the city of Pozzallo, Sicily) at least 12 came from Faridpur, a city that is part of the division of the capital, Dacca. .
“To have a better life, I sent my son to Italy. But all dreams are gone and now I want my son back,” she told Torap Molla, 30, father of Shafiqual Islam Russell, who is missing. He explained that to get to Italy his son had made a deal of 800,000 taka (equivalent to 7,272 euros) with a trafficker named Murad Faki.
After leaving Bangladesh earlier in the year, Shafiqual arrived in Libya on January 12 via Dubai. On March 12, when he had already spent two months in the North African country, the ship that was supposed to take him to Italy sank. “Murad Faki had told us that many people had come to Italy thanks to him, but by trusting him we lost my son,” the father added.
Among the 12 Bangladeshis missing in the Mediterranean is Mahfuz Molla, 22, the son of a farmer. His younger brother, Tanveer, stated: “I let my brother go abroad to turn the wheel of fortune. But I never imagined that the wheel would turn like this.” In this case, the family had to pay 750,000 taka (6,696 euros) for Mahfuz’s trip. “We borrowed money from various organizations. We hoped to see some prosperity after living in a world of want, but all our dreams were drowned in the sea.”
Although the eastern Mediterranean route remains the deadliest in the world, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Italy is one of the favorite destinations for Bangladeshi emigrants due to the possibility of regular transit to Libya.
The latest figures from IOM indicate that 21,653 Bangladeshis were living in Libya in 2022, the vast majority of them (74%) concentrated in the west of the country, having entered via regular routes via Turkey (36%), the United Arab Emirates (38%) or Egypt ( 13%). 93% stated that they had arrived by plane.
Back in Bangladesh for a holiday, Haroon ur Rashid, who left the country more than 20 years ago and managed to reach Italy via Libya, told his experience: “In 2000, when I was only 20 years old, I went to Libya through an intermediary. For a few years I worked for a Korean company that built water pipes. The salary was low and it was difficult for me to pay off the debt I incurred to reach Libya. In 2007 it occurred to me to go to Italy”. At that time, Harun contacted a smuggler, who promised to take him to Europe by sea for 200,000 taka (1,785 euros).
Once a group of about 50 people is assembled, the smugglers select a few migrants to train them to find their way by sea to Sicily using only a compass, Harun explained. “The trip to Italy leaves from the Libyan coasts of Zoara and Tajora, but the traffickers abandon the ships, disclaiming any responsibility,” the former migrant continued. “Even with some training it is difficult to determine the route and the boats drift. If you survive and make it to Italy you can ask for political asylum, but if you are not granted you have six days to return to Bangladesh.”
A Dhaka government official, who did not want to be named, told that some 150,000 Bangladeshi emigrants would be living in Italy, working in various sectors, such as agriculture, shipbuilding and street commerce.
