Bodies of 8 Bangladeshis who died in Tunisia to arrive today

The bodies of eight Bangladeshi nationals who died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe and subsequently drowned near the coast of Tunisia will arrive in the country this afternoon (May 2).

Bangladesh Embassy in Libya said the coffins, transported via Saudia Airlines, are scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 12:15 pm.

Foreign ministry sources said on Tuesday, in the presence of Bangladesh's Ambassador to Libya and non-resident envoy to Tunisia, Major General (Retd.) Abul Hasnat Mohammad Khairul Bashar, embassy officials transferred the bodies to the authorities at Tunis International Airport.

Earlier on February 14, officials at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli worked closely with Tunisia's Foreign Ministry and local authorities to manage the forensic identification, confirmation of identities through domestic agencies, and issuance of death and medical certificates.

Besides, the Foreign Ministry's Africa Wing coordinated the inter-ministerial efforts to ease the repatriation of the bodies. The necessary expenditure is being met from the assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Law and the allocation of the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment.