Hotlines for Bangladeshi victims in Mediterranean boat capsize

Survivors of a boat carrying migrants that sunk in the Mediterranean during the night of 9 and 10 May, gather at a shelter in the Tunisian coastal city of Zarzis on 11 May 2019. Photo: AFP
Survivors of a boat carrying migrants that sunk in the Mediterranean during the night of 9 and 10 May, gather at a shelter in the Tunisian coastal city of Zarzis on 11 May 2019. Photo: AFP

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) has opened hotline numbers to establish contact with family members of the victims and survivors of Friday's boat capsize in the Mediterranean Sea while attempting to reach Europe from Libya, reports UNB.

The hotline numbers are 88-02-49354246 and 01811458521, said the BDRCS on Sunday.

BDRCS' Restoring Family Links (RFL) wing director Imam Zafar Sikder said they are in constant touch with Tunisia Red Cross Society, Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli and Foreign Ministry here to get update on the matter.

Around 75 migrants had left Libya's Zouara on the boat and a total of 37 Bangladeshis among others feared dead in the boat capsize in the Mediterranean Sea.

While briefing reporters at his office on Sunday, foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said "30-35" Bangladesh nationals might have died in the boat capsize as 14 Bangladeshis have already been rescued among 51 them.

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