Madaripur: Two Bangladeshis, who were killed while two boats carrying around 500 emigrants capsized in Libya on 27 August, were residents of Madaripur.

The deceased are Gani Khalashi, believed to be 41, residents of Hossainpur area in Rajoir upazila, and his nephew Kamrul Khalashi, who was 19 years old.

Azizul, a survivor of the boat capsize, also a resident of Hossainpur, confirmed the identities over phone from Libya. 

The victims’ family asked authorities to bring back the bodies home as soon as possible.

The families said Gani travelled to Libya four years back by taking loan from Islami Bank. Few days after Gani’s exodus, his elder brother Yakub Khalashi’s son Kamrul also left home for Libya, added the relatives.

They said, Gani and Kamrul used to live there together.

Gani decided to go Italy as miscreants snatched Tk 2.5lakh from him, said the victims’ family.

Later, Kamrul and Gani, along with a group of exodus, voyaged for Italy by boat.

On 27 August, two boats carrying around 500 migrants capsized off the Libyan Coastal Town of Zuwara located around 300kilometer west of Tripoli while crossing the Mediterranean Sea.

Three Bangladeshis including Azizul survived the accident. They are Nilu Khalashi, Ujjal Munshi, and Sharif Sheikh, of the same village.

The Rajoir police said they are taking necessary actions to bring back the bodies soon.