The death of Bangladeshis in Libya boat capsize raised to 24, including three children, said a Bangladeshi diplomat from Libya on Saturday.”The death toll [of Bangladesh nationals] is so far 24,” Counsellor (labour), Bangladesh Embassy to Libya, now situated in Tunisia, Ashraful Islam told UNB over phone from Libya.He said there were 78 Bangladesh nationals, including children and women, in the two boats. Of them, 54 were rescued alive.Ashraful Islam said Bangladesh has sought support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to send back the rescued Bangladesh nationals home.”So far, we’ve got 20 Bangladesh nationals who want to go back to Bangladesh,” he said adding that they have already talked to the IOM about it.The rest of the rescued people will stay back if their documents are found valid, Ashraful added.He, however, could not give the detailed identities of the victims as he was in hurry.The official said the rescued women and children were released in their relatives’ custody.Earlier on Friday, Ashraful Islam told UNB over phone from Libya that the death toll was eight. He, however, confirmed the deaths on the basis of their conversations with victims’ relatives.Of the rescued Bangladesh nationals, women were kept in the embassy’s custody while the male ones in Tripoli detention centre, said a BBC report on Saturday. The Bangladesh official was not allowed to see the dead bodies yet as they could not secure permission through diplomatic channel, it said. On August 27, around 2am, a boat (BBC says 2 boats) carrying about 400-500 migrants, including reportedly 54 Bangladeshis, capsized off the Libyan Coastal Town of Zuwara located around 300 km west of Tripoli, while crossing the Mediterranean Sea.A Bangladesh Embassy team, led by Ashraful Islam, is coordinating medical and humanitarian support, said the Foreign Ministry here. The migrants were rescued by the Libyan Coast Guards and extended treatment facilities. The rescued Bangladeshis include four families with children.The first boat, which capsized early on Thursday, had nearly 100 people on board. The second, which sank later, was carrying about 400 passengers. Rescuers have, meanwhile, pulled 82 bodies from the water and saved 198 people, according to an official with the Red Crescent.
