Bangladesh tops sea arrivals to Italy

The number of Bangladeshis risking the dangerous Mediterranean Sea crossing to reach Italy has sharply increased in the first two months of 2025, with UNHCR data revealing that 2,589 Bangladeshis arrived on Italian shores during this period — more than double the 1,206 who arrived in the same months last year.

According to the UNHCR’s February edition of the Italy Sea Arrivals Dashboard, all these migrants departed from Libya, a long-standing hub for human smuggling networks in North Africa. The increase has alarmed migration experts, who say it reflects deep-rooted socio-economic crises in Bangladesh and the persistent lure of Europe’s informal labour market.

In February alone, 1,383 Bangladeshis reached Italy, following 1,206 in January. In comparison, only 585 arrived in January 2024 and 621 in February last year. This surge means Bangladeshis accounted for 42 percent of all sea arrivals in Italy in February 2025.

"This is not just a migration issue — it’s a reflection of growing despair," said Asif Munier, a Dhaka-based labour migration specialist. He explained that many young Bangladeshis, unable to access legal migration channels, fall prey to brokers who promise them a better life in Europe, charging Tk 5 to 8 lakh for the risky journey. Many finance this through loans, land sales, or help from relatives abroad.

Despite the well-known dangers — overcrowded boats, engine failures, and no life-saving equipment leading to frequent tragedies — the number of Bangladeshis attempting the journey continues to rise.

Shakirul Islam, chairman of Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Programme, said traffickers now actively use social media and encrypted messaging apps to recruit migrants. He noted that many Bangladeshis remain stranded in Libya for months or even years under brutal conditions before attempting the sea crossing.

Shariful Hasan, associate director of BRAC Migration Programme and Youth Platform, warned that while no major incidents involving Bangladeshi migrants have been reported in 2025 so far, the risks remain extremely high. He called for nationwide awareness campaigns, especially in high-migration areas like Madaripur, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, and Dhaka’s surrounding districts.

He also highlighted the absence of meaningful reintegration programmes for returnees and the lack of safe, regular migration opportunities as key factors driving desperate youth toward these perilous routes.

"This is not a dream journey; it’s a death journey," Shariful said. "Around 93 percent of these migrants get trapped in Libyan detention camps, face extortion, and sometimes death. Families back home are often forced to pay ransoms of up to Tk 30 lakh."

Both Shariful and Shakirul stressed the need for stronger legal action against trafficking networks within Bangladesh and urged joint national and international operations to dismantle the criminal infrastructure exploiting vulnerable migrants.

Without immediate intervention, experts fear the number of Bangladeshis taking this life-threatening route will continue to rise.