Will the cycle of tragedy, death, and grief continue? Will our youths continue to meet tragic ends while crossing the Mediterranean Sea in their attempts to reach European countries illegally?
The recent loss of eight lives off the Tunisian coast on February 14, when their boat capsized, left us deeply saddened. The bodies of eight Bangladeshis, who died in the boat capsize on the Tunisian coast, reached Dhaka on Thursday, bringing waves of sorrow to their families and loved ones.
When a flight of Saudia Airlines carrying the eight bodies reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, family members burst into wailing. There was an air of gloom over the airport when the sounds of wailing family members were heard in the distance.
The images of parents, wives, relatives and friends, who lost their loved ones in the boat capsize, have sent a shock wave across the country. Deep sadness caused by their loved ones’ tragic death, the victims’ family members, relatives and friends are now speechless with grief.
They are even unable to shed tears and stared vacantly. However, many of them were seen bursting into tears while speaking about their ill-fated loved ones. This was the latest tragic incident taking place in the Mediterranean Sea.
People from different countries often fall victim to such accident while travelling by boat to Europe in search of fortune. This is not only a single story of eight young men but we also continued witnessing such deaths of our young people while they were crossing the Mediterranean Sea to trespass into the European countries illegally.
Youths in different districts
of the country have become
desperate to migrate to
European countries
We have noticed over the past years, youths in different districts of the country have become desperate to migrate to European countries, even at a great risk to their finances and safety. In consequence, many youths went missing while they were crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach European countries including Italy and Greece using Libya and Turkey as transit points along their route.
A large number of them went missing before they reached their destination. The government has taken various measures to promote legal migration but many Bangladeshis try to reach European countries illegally resulting in tragic and frequent deaths in their perilous journey through the seas.
They are desperate to reach Europe, beckoning like a paradise where their fates will change. But in that moment, a hellish death is closer to them.
Young people especially from the Middle-class are joining the exodus of migrant workers to Italy and France, but not all survive the journey. All the conscious section of people will have to build strong and united resistance against human trafficking so that our youths will not be allured to go abroad illegally. With the proper application of laws to stop human trafficking, the creation of mass awareness particularly among youths and guardians is a must.
The organised international criminal groups in association with the local human traffickers are luring our youths into such danger with the promise of a luxurious life in European countries. All must keep in mind that the human traffickers in the country and abroad are a highly powerful coterie. In the face of such tragedies, let us reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding our youth and steering them away from the dangers that lie beyond our shores.
