Three deaths in Greece: Migrants who left home with dreams return lifeless

They left Bangladesh in search of a better life. One built his own business, while others travelled to Greece hoping to secure a better future for their families.

They spent years working and living abroad, driven by the desire to support their loved ones, provide for their children and improve their families’ financial circumstances back home.

But their struggles came to an abrupt end. Three Bangladeshi expatriates have died in Greece under three different circumstances.

One died in hospital just two days after returning to Greece from a holiday in Bangladesh. Another was killed in a road accident four days after returning to Greece. The body of the third was recovered from inside his own shop after it had remained closed for several days.

Three lives ended in different ways, leaving behind grieving families, unanswered questions and a painful reminder of the challenges faced by Bangladeshis living far from home.

Death just two days after returning from Bangladesh

Mohammad Selim, 58, was from Pulpara village in Sonaimuri upazila of Noakhali district. He had been living in Greece for more than two decades and ran his own business in the Akadimia area of Athens.

After spending several months with his family in Bangladesh, Selim returned to Greece on 5 September, hoping to resume his work and business activities.

However, he soon began experiencing health problems and admitted himself to a hospital in Athens.

According to information provided by his family, medical examinations revealed that he was suffering from pneumonia.

His condition later deteriorated, and he was placed on life support. He died in hospital at around 7:30pm local time on  7 September.

Selim’s death highlights the harsh realities of life abroad. Having said goodbye to his loved ones and returned to Greece to earn a living, he never got the chance to reunite with them.

Community leader Tajul Islam said many Bangladeshis living abroad lead isolated lives and often neglect their health because of demanding work schedules and business responsibilities.

“Many expatriates live alone. Because of their work and business commitments, they sometimes fail to give proper attention to their health. When someone has no regular contact with others, it can also be difficult to realise that they are in trouble,” he said.

He urged expatriates to maintain regular contact with one another and seek medical attention promptly when they fall ill.

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Sijan leaves behind his eight-year-old son

Sijan Mia, 35, hailed from Baitakhali village in the Debpara union of Nabiganj upazila in Habiganj district. He moved to Greece in 2019 in search of a better livelihood, hoping to improve his family's financial situation and secure a brighter future for his eight-year-old son.

Sijan had recently returned to Bangladesh for a holiday. After spending time with his family, he left the country for Greece on 3 October. He spoke to his family for the last time the following day, informing them that he had reached Greece.

His relatives were subsequently unable to contact him.

Eventually, through acquaintances in Greece, the family learned that Sijan had died in a road accident in Athens on the night of 7 October.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Athens completed the necessary procedures to repatriate his body. On 25 October, his remains arrived in Dhaka and were taken to his village home.

His funeral prayer was held at 2:00pm on the grounds of a mosque in Baitakhali village, following the body's arrival in Dhaka at around 4:00am. He was subsequently buried there.

Sijan had left home with dreams of bringing happiness and financial security to his family. In the end, his loved ones had to receive his body instead of welcoming him home alive.

For his eight-year-old son, the loss of his father represents a profound absence that words can hardly describe.

Lonely death inside his own business premises

Korban Ali, a resident of Kutubpur union in Begumganj upazila of Noakhali district, ran a grocery shop in Piraeus, the Greek port city. He had lived in Greece for more than two decades and built a business of his own.

Yet the final chapter of his life was marked by isolation.

His shop had remained closed since 9 October. Korban Ali used to sleep in a room inside the premises. After the shop remained shut for several days, a foul smell began spreading from inside.

Following reports from local residents, police went to the premises on 20 October and recovered his body. By then, it was in an advanced state of decomposition.

Korban Ali is survived by a son and a daughter in Bangladesh. The death of a man who had spent years running his own business came to light only after his shop remained closed and the smell began to attract attention.

His body is currently being kept at the morgue of a hospital in Athens, according to information provided to the family.

The Bangladesh Embassy has said that the necessary procedures to repatriate his remains are under way.

Hafez Ahmed, president of the Noakhali Association in Greece, said expatriates often depend on fellow community members when they face difficulties away from their families.

“We live far away from our families. In times of trouble, acquaintances and members of the community are often the first people we can turn to for support. If someone cannot be contacted for an extended period, the matter should be taken seriously. Regularly checking on those who live alone is particularly important,” he said.

A call for greater solidarity among expatriates

Many Bangladeshis living in Greece have spent years building their lives through employment, business and efforts to support their families back home.

Some work in restaurants, others in construction, while many run small businesses to cover their families’ expenses in Bangladesh.

For many, life abroad means long working hours, financial responsibilities and prolonged separation from their loved ones.

The deaths of Selim, Sijan and Korban Ali have brought different aspects of this reality into focus: the importance of looking after one's health, the devastating consequences of sudden accidents and the vulnerability of those who live alone.

Their stories also underline the importance of maintaining contact within the expatriate community. Regularly checking on friends, neighbours and fellow workers, particularly those who live alone, could help identify emergencies sooner and ensure that people receive assistance when they need it most.

For the families left behind, however, the loss is immeasurable. The men who left Bangladesh with hopes of building better lives abroad have returned only in memories, leaving their loved ones to cope with grief and an uncertain future.