A Bangladeshi national, rescued from a sunken boat in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya coast on Saturday, is now undergoing treatment at a hospital in Sicily, Italy. But the identity of the rescued could not be known immediately, foreign ministry officials said.
"The honorary counsellor has been given the responsibility of dealing with the issue," said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam while speaking at a press conference at his office on Monday.
"The European Union (EU) has expressed its concern over the incident," said the minister when asked about the Mediterranean boat capsize with up to 700 migrants and heading to Europe.
When asked how many Bangladeshis were on board of the boat the minister could not ascertain the number. He, however, said the counsellor stationed in the region is dealing with the issue.
The 20m-long boat was carrying migrants to Europe from Africa. It capsized in Libyan waters south of the Italian island of Lampedusa, as a large merchant ship approached it.
Italian authorities concerned have so far rescued 28 people alive, including a Bangladeshi, while hundreds are feared to have drowned, according to reports by CNN and BBC. According to CNN, Italian investigators spoke with the Bangladeshi survivor.
Investigators said migrants on board of the boat moved to one side, hoping to be saved, which caused it to sink, sending the desperate crowd into the sea.
Saturday's incident was the latest in a series of dangerous journeys for hundreds, who boarded boats from Libya hoping to make it to Europe for a better life.
European officials hold an emergency meeting on Monday, as they are struggling to confront a growing humanitarian crisis following the presumed deaths.
mzrbd@yahoo.com
