Boat capsize in Mediterranean Sea: 8 Bangladeshis identified

The foreign ministry of Bangladesh has revealed identities of the eight Bangladeshis who died as their boat capsized while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

The victims are identified as Sajal, Nayan Biswas, Mamun Seikh, Kazi Sajeeb and Kaisar from Rajoir upazila of Madaripur district while Rifat, Russell and Imrul Kayes Apon from the Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj district.

Among the Bangladeshi victims, seven were traveling without passports.

The ill-fated incident took place when a boat carrying a group comprised with Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Egyptians, Syrians, and Egyptian nationals --embarking on an unauthorized voyage from Libya to Europe -- capsized off the Tunisian coast in the early hours of February 14.

Rescue operations later recovered the bodies of the eight Bangladeshis and one Pakistani, which were subsequently transferred to local hospitals.