[🇧🇩] Fate of Bangladeshis In The Middle East Amid Iran-Israel war

[Saif]

undefined | The Financial Express

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladeshis in Iran are ‘safe’as government ready to evacuate those at risk: Shama

bdnews24.com
Published :
Mar 24, 2026 22:08
Updated :
Mar 24, 2026 22:08

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said Bangladeshi citizens currently in Iran remain safe despite ongoing strikes by the US and Israel.

She added that the government is prepared to evacuate anyone who feels insecure.

Speaking to reporters at the foreign ministry on Tuesday, Shama said: "There are about 2,000 Bangladeshis in Iran, including a significant number of students. According to information we have today, they are safe and not in any immediate danger."

The state minister emphasised that the Bangladeshi mission in Tehran is maintaining 24-hour contact with the expatriate community.

"If a situation arises where there is a risk to life or security, our mission is working there, and we will bring them back," she said.

Calling for an immediate end to the conflict through diplomatic channels, Shama noted: "Bangladesh has repeatedly urged for the war to stop as soon as possible. We hope the chaos and instability prevailing globally can be resolved through diplomacy."

She described the safety of Bangladeshi nationals in the Middle East as the "most important issue", noting that missions are operating around the clock to monitor the situation.

Shama highlighted that the government is already facilitating the return of those who wish to leave.

"We are taking immediate action for any citizen expressing interest in returning to Bangladesh. As part of this effort, we successfully brought back 186 people from Tehran with the help of the IOM on the night before Eid-ul-Fitr," she added.

Acknowledging that many workers have professional obligations that make leaving difficult, she clarified that the door remains open for those who feel vulnerable.

"For those who want to return safely, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, Biman, and Civil Aviation are working together. We will arrange chartered flights to bring them back if necessary," she said.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladeshi migrant killed in UAE drone debris attack is from Cumilla

He dies after UAE air defence intercepts a UAV; family urges prompt repatriation of body

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladeshi migrant killed in UAE drone debris attack is from Cumilla

He dies after UAE air defence intercepts a UAV; family urges prompt repatriation of body

Our Correspondent, Cumilla

Shah Alam Bhuiyan. Photo: Collected

The identity of a Bangladeshi migrant worker killed by falling shrapnel from an intercepted drone in Fujairah yesterday has been revealed.

Sajedul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Brahmanpara Police Station in Cumilla, confirmed the victim’s identity as Shah Alam Bhuiyan, 45, son of Hanif Bhuiyan from Jeruin village in Sahebabad union under Brahmanpara upazila.

According to OC Sajedul, Shah Alam had been living in the United Arab Emirates since 2013, having migrated in search of better economic opportunities for his family. He visited Bangladesh on several occasions, most recently in 2025 for a three-month visit.

Shah Alam is survived by his wife and four children, all of whom live in Bangladesh.

Jakir Hossain, a local union parishad member, said news of his death had left the family and community in shock.

“A heavy atmosphere is prevailing at his home. His wife, two sons and two daughters are devastated,” he said.

The family has appealed to the government to arrange the swift repatriation of his body.

Earlier, authorities in Fujairah confirmed that a Bangladeshi national was killed after debris from an intercepted drone fell on a farm in the Al-Rifa’a area, according to an official statement reported by Gulf News yesterday.

The Fujairah Government Media Office said UAE air defence systems successfully intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the emirate, with debris from the interception landing on the farm.​

 

[Saif]

Govt intensifies diplomatic efforts to protect Bangladeshis amid US-Israel war on Iran

Six Bangladeshis confirmed dead in Middle East conflict so far

www.thedailystar.net

Govt intensifies diplomatic efforts to protect Bangladeshis amid US-Israel war on Iran

Six Bangladeshis confirmed dead in Middle East conflict so far

Star Online Report

Photo: Collected

The government is continuing diplomatic efforts to ensure the security of Bangladeshi expatriates and extend their visas in the Middle East amid the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said today.

She made the remarks after receiving the body of SM Tareq, a Bangladeshi worker killed in Bahrain, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).

Replying to a journalist's query at the airport, Shama said the government was working through diplomatic channels to protect Bangladeshi expatriates in the evolving situation and to extend their visas where necessary.

She also said the government had taken a tough stance against those involved in human trafficking and was moving quickly to bring back Bangladeshis being held in camps in Greece.

The issue has drawn renewed attention after a recent Mediterranean tragedy involving Bangladeshi migrants. At least 18 Bangladeshis were killed while trying to cross from Libya to Europe, and survivors were rescued and taken to hospitals or detention centres in Greece last week. The boat had left Tobruk in eastern Libya on March 21, and the Greek coast guard later said 26 people, including a woman and a minor, were rescued off Crete by a European border agency vessel.

The body of Tareq arrived at the airport on Gulf Air flight GF-2250 from Dammam, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

SM Tareq, a 48-year-old migrant worker, was killed in Bahrain on March 2 after debris from an intercepted drone fell on an industrial area.

Besides Tareq, five Bangladeshis killed in the US-Israel war on Iran so far. The first victim was Ahmed Ali, also known as Saleh Ahmed, who died in the UAE on February 28 when the war broke out. On March 8, Bachchu Miah of Kishoreganj and Mosharraf Hossain of Tangail were killed in a missile strike in Saudi Arabia’s Al Kharj area, while Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, who was critically injured in the same attack, died in Riyadh on March 18 while undergoing treatment. The sixth victim, identified as Mosaffir Hossain of Cumilla, was killed in Fujairah in the UAE when falling drone debris struck him on April 1.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister Md Nurul Haque, and Shama were present at the airport to receive Tareq's body.

Ariful expressed deep sorrow over the death and said six Bangladeshis have so far been killed in the Middle East war.

The minister said Tareq’s family had been given Tk 35,000 for burial and Tk 50,000 in immediate cash support from the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board.

He said the family would also receive Tk 300,000 in financial assistance and Tk 1,000,000 in insurance support.​

 

[Saif]

We were awaiting death: Bangladeshi sailor

Bangladeshi sailor Ehsan Sabri Rihad described the initial moments of the missile attack on the Panama-flagged vessel ‘MV Gold Autumn’ in the Arabian Sea, in an account to Prothom Alo.

en.prothomalo.com

We were awaiting death: Bangladeshi sailor
The vessel came under attack at around 11:30 am last Tuesday, the day before the Iran–United States ceasefire. It was carrying cargo from Shanghai in China, to Sohar port in Oman and was in the Arabian Sea, about 200 nautical miles from its destination.

Masud Milad
Chattogram
Published: 10 Apr 2026, 14: 41

Panama-flagged vessel MV Gold Autumn damaged in a missile attack in the Arabian Sea. Courtesy of the sailors.

“I had just finished lunch around 11:00 am and was resting when a loud explosion shook the ship. I quickly put on a life jacket and rushed to the engine room. Everything seemed fine there. I then ran up to the deck and saw flames blazing beneath the crane. That’s when I realised the vessel had been hit by a missile. Without delay, we all moved into the accommodation area on the upper deck to ensure our safety. Shortly afterwards, another missile struck just behind us. We survived by a matter of seconds, but panic spread among the crew.”

This is how Bangladeshi sailor Ehsan Sabri Rihad described the initial moments of the missile attack on the Panama-flagged vessel ‘MV Gold Autumn’ in the Arabian Sea, in an account to Prothom Alo. The vessel came under attack at around 11:30 am last Tuesday, the day before the Iran–United States ceasefire. It was carrying cargo from Shanghai in China, to Sohar port in Oman and was in the Arabian Sea, about 200 nautical miles from its destination. There were six Bangladeshi crew members on board, along with 11 from China, 3 from Indonesia, and one each from Myanmar and Vietnam.

Even after we took shelter in the accommodation area, we could hear the ear-splitting sounds of repeated explosions. After several strikes, fire spread around the ship. The final hit created a hole on one side of the vessel and disabled the main engine. The attack stopped after that------Ehsan Sabri Rihad, sailor, MD Gold Autumn.

Rihad, a resident of Cox’s Bazar Sadar, had joined the vessel as an engine cadet 10 months ago. Before completing his first voyage at sea, he was confronted with this harrowing experience. The crew is still unsure who carried out the attack, which occurred outside the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. Since the outbreak of the Iran war on 28 February, the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman have been considered high-risk areas.

Speaking on WhatsApp, Rihad said, “Even after we took shelter in the accommodation area, we could hear the ear-splitting sounds of repeated explosions. After several strikes, fire spread around the ship. The final hit created a hole on one side of the vessel and disabled the main engine. The attack stopped after that.”

Five Bangladeshi sailors after being rescued, pictured in front of the immigration office in Karachi, Pakistan on 9 April 2026.Collected

Rihad said that apart from the rear deck, most parts of the vessel were engulfed in flames. Large buses being transported as cargo were reduced to ashes. The crew tried to bring the fire under control and later gathered on the rear deck. At the same time, efforts were made to restart the engine, but by 1:00 pm they had failed.

As the fire spread further, the captain eventually declared the vessel abandoned. The crew prepared to board lifeboats, but one had been damaged in the missile strike. Rihad and three Indonesian sailors, managed to board another lifeboat, while 18 crew members remained on the rear deck. Although the vessel had been declared abandoned, rough sea conditions made it impossible to jump into the water.

After boarding the lifeboat, their ordeal continued. Rihad said the lifeboat’s engine had also been disabled by the blasts. The sea was rough, and waves were flooding into the boat, leaving everyone unwell.

“The lifeboat was drifting helplessly in the waves. There was fear in everyone’s eyes. I vomited several times. It felt like this was our last day. We were waiting for death. I thought we would not make it back alive. Out of fear, I kept reciting Dua Yunus,” he said.

As the fire spread further, the captain eventually declared the vessel abandoned. The crew prepared to board lifeboats, but one had been damaged in the missile strike. Rihad and three Indonesian sailors, managed to board another lifeboat, while 18 crew members remained on the rear deck.

Rihad said they later fired flares from the lifeboat to seek help. After about seven hours, around 8:30 pm, they spotted a vessel named MV Uniaich. They rowed towards it and climbed aboard using a rope ladder. After boarding, they informed the crew about the others still stranded on Gold Autumn. However, the rescue vessel could not get too close due to the fire.

He added, “From MV Uniaich, we contacted the ship’s owners via satellite phone. The company sought assistance from the Pakistan Navy through the Pakistani embassy. Around 1:00 am, the navy responded and launched a rescue operation.”

“About seven hours later, at 8:00 am on Wednesday, a Pakistan Navy ship, PNS Hunain, arrived and rescued 14 of the 18 crew members still on the abandoned vessel. By then, the fire had largely come under control. As the vessel had not sunk immediately, the captain and four others remained on board, including Bangladeshi sailor Mazharul Abedin Shawon. They stayed behind in the hope that the vessel could be towed to the Omani coast once sea conditions improved,” said Rihad.

Sailor Ehsan Sabri Rihad, pictured after being rescued from the vessel. Collected

After rescuing the 14 crew members, the Pakistan Navy vessel also picked up the four sailors from MV Uniaich. With all 18 rescued, the naval ship reached Karachi port at around 2:00 pm on Thursday. The rescued Bangladeshis included Rihad, along with Tawhidur Rahman, Abdullah Al Maruf, Saikat Pal and Riad Hossain. They received primary treatment on board.

Following the rescue, Rihad contacted Sakhawat Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association. Sakhawat Hossain told Prothom Alo, “We have been in contact with the sailors since their rescue. All are safe. We are working to ensure their safe return home.”​