Three Bangladeshi migrant workers from Satkhira were killed in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon on Monday afternoon, leaving their families devastated and burdened with debt.
The victims were identified as Shafiqul Islam (40) from Bhaluka Chandpur village under Dhulihar Union of Satkhira Sadar, Shubho Kumar Das (28) from Sripratipur village in Kalaroa upazila, and Nahidul Islam (22) from Kadakati village under Ashashuni upazila.
According to family members, the three men had gone abroad in search of a better future and to overcome severe financial hardship. Two of them had travelled to Lebanon only two months ago using government visas and money borrowed through loans.
Families Left in Grief and Debt
At Shafiqul Islam’s home on Tuesday, heartbreaking scenes unfolded as relatives mourned his death. His wife, Ruma Khatun, repeatedly broke down in tears, while his mother, Asia Begum, remained speechless after losing her only son.
“My son went abroad after taking a loan of nearly Tk 1 million. Now how will we repay this debt? We want the government to bring back his body,” she said.
Shafiqul’s father, Afsar Ali, said his son had left the country hoping to restore financial stability to the family.
“He went abroad with borrowed money to improve our condition. He had not even properly started working yet. Now my son is gone, and I do not know how we will survive,” he said.
Shafiqul’s young daughter Brishti said she last spoke with her father on Sunday.
“On Monday we could not contact him. Later we heard on television that he had been injured in a drone strike in Lebanon. In the evening, we learned that he died at a hospital there,” she said.
Nahidul Could Not Continue His Studies
According to Badiuzzaman Khan, headmaster of Kadakati R.R. Secondary School, Nahidul Islam had been forced to abandon his studies after passing SSC due to poverty.
His family reportedly took a loan of Tk 500,000 from a non-governmental organization before sending him abroad for work.
“His parents are devastated after losing their eldest son,” the headmaster said.
Shubho Worked in Lebanon for Three Years
Shubho Kumar Das had been living in Lebanon for nearly three years. According to his father, Suranjan Das, he worked as a caretaker of a house and a nearby fruit orchard in the conflict-affected Maifadoun area.
“We could not contact him from Monday. On Tuesday evening, we received the news of his death,” his father said.
Administration Seeks Repatriation of Bodies
Satkhira Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arnab Dutta said the district and upazila administrations would provide maximum support to the affected families.
“We have already appealed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment to bring back the bodies of the three victims,” he said.
Bangladesh Condemns the Attack
The government of Bangladesh strongly condemned the drone attack that killed Bangladeshi nationals in Lebanon.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to the bereaved families. The Bangladeshi Embassy in Lebanon is currently working with local authorities to complete the process of repatriating the bodies.
