Three Bangladeshis Dead After Fleeing Rescue Ship From Libya In Crete

The Cypriot-flagged Ionian King was carrying 1,200 Libyan evacuees when 49 passengers used rope to descend into the water under the veil of night while docked at the Greek island of Crete. At least 3 are confirmed dead due to drowning and hypothermia, 15 missing, and 18 hospitalized after local residents alerted Greek authorities that people were spotted in the waters. More of the Bangladeshis have possibly made it to the shore and escaped inland.

All 49 of these evacuees were Bangladeshi employees of Korean company Daewoo stationed in Tripoli, Libya. Dozens of other refugees attempted to flee the vessel. Officials are quoted as saying that the Bangladeshis are avoiding being sent back home, although the reasons as to why are still unclear.

Greece Coast Guard, Navy vessels, fishing boats, and helicopters have been vigorously searching the waters off of Crete, in hopes to find more of the missing evacuees.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) have stated that they are increasing their efforts in Libya for the safe evacuation of Bangladeshi workers taking shelter in Egypt and Tunisia, as they account for nearly 80% of foreign nationals in the area.

Over 65,000 Bangladeshis worked in Libya and U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh James Moriarty said that we plan to assist and support with the repatriate of these stranded refugees.