Bangladesh
Migrants Bangladeshis among 178 rescued from Mediterranean by Tunisian Navy; two dead
Dhaka, June 29: The Tunisian navy has rescued 178 migrants, including Bangladeshis, from the Mediterranean, off the coast of Tunisia on Sunday. The bodies of the two were recovered at that time. Most of the rescuers are Bangladeshis who were traveling illegally from Libya across the Mediterranean to Europe by boat. Others rescued are citizens of Eritrea, Egypt, Mali and Ivory Coast.
Tunisian Defense Ministry spokesman Mohamed Zekri later said the migrants were traveling by boat to Europe via the Mediterranean. On the way, their boat broke down and sank. After receiving the signal, members of the Tunisian navy arrived at the scene and rescued them.
Earlier, on June 25, 264 Bangladeshis were rescued from the Mediterranean. The Tunisian Coast Guard later said 267 migrants- 264 Bangladeshis and three Egyptians- were trying to cross the border illegally from Libya to Europe. But when the boat broke down in the middle of the sea, they were in danger.
Tunisia's navy then helped the migrants arrive in the southern port of Ben Guerdane. They were later handed over to the IOM and the Red Crescent.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 11,000 migrants from Libya traveled to Europe via the Mediterranean from the beginning of this year to April. This number is 70 percent more than the same period last year.
