Most of the Tunisia boat capsize victims Bangladeshis

One of a migrants, who were rescued after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the Tunisian Coast after they had left Libya, is seen inside a local Red Cresent chapter in Zarzis, Tunisia on 11 May 2019. Photo: Reuters
One of a migrants, who were rescued after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the Tunisian Coast after they had left Libya, is seen inside a local Red Cresent chapter in Zarzis, Tunisia on 11 May 2019. Photo: Reuters

A number of Bangladeshis are feared to be among those who drowned in Friday's boat capsize in the sea while attempting to reach Europe from Libya, reports news agency UNB.

Mongi Slim, the head of Tunisia's Red Crescent, said Saturday that around 75 migrants had left Libya's Zouara on the boat.

The BBC Bangla, quoting other agencies, claimed that most of the victims were Bangladeshis.

Slim told the Associated Press that only 16 people have been rescued by a Tunisian fishing boat and 14 of them are Bangladeshis.

Migrants, who were rescued after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the Tunisian Coast after they had left Libya, are seen inside a local Red Cresent chapter in Zarzis, Tunisia on 11 May 2019. Photo: Reuters
Migrants, who were rescued after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the Tunisian Coast after they had left Libya, are seen inside a local Red Cresent chapter in Zarzis, Tunisia on 11 May 2019. Photo: Reuters

He said those still missing are nationals of Bangladesh, Egypt, Morocco and unspecified countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Friday's accident was dubbed the "deadliest migrant boat sinking since January" by the International Organisation for Migration.

Many Bangladeshis choose the risky way to reach Europe in the hope of a better life. A number of them often die in the seas.