Dhaka, 31 March (H.S.):

A migrant boat from Libya to Greece lost its way at sea killing 22 people including 12 from Bangladesh's Sunamganj district with bodies dumped overboard due to food and water shortages Greek coastguard confirmed.

Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ilias Mia verified the deaths—six from Derai five Jagannathpur and one Dowarabazar—while Additional SP Sujan Sarkar noted Greek rescuers saved 26 on March 28 now in a camp after six days adrift.

Trafficking Probe Launched

Victims included Md Nuruzzaman Sardar Moyna 30 Sajidur Rahman 28 Sahan Ehiya 25 Mujibur Rahman 38 Taik Mia Abu Fahim Sohanur Rahman Shayek Ahmad Md Naim Mia Aminur Rahman and Mohammad Ali families alleging traffickers promised Italy for 12-15 lakh taka first herding them to Libya then cramming into unseaworthy vessels.

Local authorities vowed cases against smugglers as Greece arrested two South Sudanese suspects aged 19 and 22 for trafficking and negligent homicide.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar