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Published : 10 Dec 2025, 11:48 AM
Ashik Mina from Gopalganj, who survived a boat disaster in the Mediterranean Sea, has returned to Bangladesh from Libya after a harrowing experience under the supervision of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
He narrated the horrifying journey after his arrival at home.
Ashik said, “The route across the Mediterranean Sea is not just difficult; it is terrifying and life-threatening. I saw death up close several times.”
He says the deceit of human traffickers, the torture in Libya, and the boat's overcrowding all combined to make the journey the most difficult time of his life.
The horror is still evident on the face of Ashik, the son of Haidar Mina from Purba Lawkhanda village in Musksudpur Upazila. He told reporters the story of how he found himself between life and death.
Ashik said that to restore his family’s finances, he and six other villagers set off on Oct 19 to go to Italy by boat along an illegal route arranged by brokers. None of the others have returned home yet.
“Some of them are missing, some are in jail, or undergoing treatment in Libya. Until they return, nothing can be said about the brokers.”
When the boat carrying them began to sink in the Mediterranean off the Libyan coast, it sparked chaos and panic. Ashik said he had watched many of the 75 asylum seekers on the boat being carried away by the turbulent sea right before his eyes.
In that fearful moment, he felt death closing with every passing second, but still he continued his desperate struggle to survive.
Ashik said, “First, we went from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia. From there, we reached Libya via Egypt. We stayed in Bengali houses in Libya for about a month. On the night of the 14th of November, we were taken to the Libyans' houses. The next night, the 15th of November, we were put onto an engine boat from the seashore. Our boat set off for Italy around 8:30pm. The accident occurred between 9:30pm and 10pm.
“A little while after the boat departed, I saw a Coast Guard vessel in front of us. Usually, there's an agreement with the Coast Guard, and they escort the boats. But our boat did not have an agreement.
“After travelling for a long time, I saw Coast Guard personnel opening fire from behind. After they fired, our boat began to spin around in place, and at one point, the engine shut down. In an instant, the large Coast Guard vessel came up onto our boat. After that, what happened, and where everyone went, I couldn’t tell you.”
He said, “No one died from bullet wounds. But the accident that occurred after the boat stopped, that's what ripped everything apart. I feel like Allah himself came down and saved me.
“They (the Coast Guard) seemed to be watching a game, just watching how human lives are lost. For nearly half an hour, they just watched to see who survived and who died. They started rescue operations half an hour later.”
There were 75 people on the boat. Five were Egyptian; the rest were all Bangladeshis, he added.
Ashik’s arms and legs were broken in the incident, requiring 19 days of hospitalisation and treatment. During that time, he said he spent every moment thinking of his family members.
Ashik said, “Now I am a bit better. I was taken to two hospitals. I didn’t have a mobile, so I couldn't contact anyone.
“I thought if they couldn't find any trace of me, my mother wouldn't make it. IOM provided us with treatment in Libya. They sent us back to the country through the Bangladesh Embassy. The flight was on the 4th of December, and I returned home the next day”
Although Ashik’s mother Rowshan Ara Begum is relieved to have her son back, she is now anxious about repaying her debts. Still, the 55-year-old said she thanked Allah endlessly for her son’s return.
She said, “We paid the broker TK 2.1 million by borrowing, selling land, and taking out loans. The broker was supposed to get him to Italy on a body contract for Tk 2.1 million. My son was missing for a few days following the accident, but he called us on a mobile phone from the hospital.
“My heart still doesn't feel completely well; my son has returned, but the anxiety over the debt still roils inside my mind.”
Ashik’s cousin Sohag Mina said, “My cousin and other friends from the area gave the brokers Tk 2-2.2 million and went to Libya on the way to Italy. But they were almost drowned and killed in the Mediterranean Sea.
“My cousin has returned, but is completely destitute now. He had mortgaged his house and land to go abroad. This has broken him mentally and severely harmed him economically.
“We want brokers to stop toying with human lives this way. Therefore, our request to everyone is that they be severely punished. We hope no one else falls victim to their deception.”
Ashik said, “I never imagined I would see my mother's face again. I never thought I would face such a thing. After returning home, I tell everyone – do not to step onto this path. It is absolutely a path to death. I warn everyone who is considering going - this path ends life.”
Asked about the matter, Shashthipod Roy, assistant director of the Gopalganj district office of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training, said: “We have always discouraged people from going to Italy via illegal routes. That route is not safe; there is a risk to life.”
He noted that campaigns have been conducted, and awareness-raising courtyard meetings and rallies have been held at the district, sub-district, and union levels regarding the matter.
He added, “The government has arranged for legal ways to go to Italy. We are also advocating for that. But the inclination to go to Italy through legal means is very low. This death procession can only stop if the youth and their families are conscious of the situation.”
