“I Paid 21 Lakh to Send My Son to Italy — Yet He Returned as a Body”

A heart-wrenching tragedy has struck a family in Gopalganj’s Muksudpur Upazila after 28-year-old Enamul Sheikh lost his life in a Mediterranean boat capsize while attempting to reach Italy from Libya. His father, Akbar Ali Sheikh, said in tears, “I paid a broker 21 lakh taka to send my son to Italy, yet he had to return as a body.”

The incident occurred on November 13 near Libya’s Al-Khums coast, where two boats sank, claiming the lives of several migrants, including Enamul Sheikh and another youth from the same area, Anis Sheikh (25). Both families confirmed their deaths after receiving information through social media.

Six others from Muksudpur remain missing, reportedly aboard the ill-fated boats. Enamul had left Bangladesh on October 10, driven by hopes of securing a better life for his family. But his journey ended tragically as the boat capsized while being chased by the Libyan Coast Guard.

Local representatives and residents expressed deep frustration over the recurring loss of lives due to illegal migration. “We are pushing our sons to their deaths out of desperation for a better life,” said one villager.

Authorities have begun gathering information about the victims and missing individuals, with local officials assuring that necessary steps are being taken to support the affected families.