The extent of human desperation to seek out a better life in a European state has come to the fore once more with diabolical results – 58 dead when a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Mauritania. Reportedly, the rickety makeshift craft held 150 people, including women and children, and was heading towards the Canary Islands form where the migrants were supposed to head towards Spain in the European mainland. The perilous journey ended with disastrous results as the boat could not sustain the pressure of so many people and gave in.

 Luckily, the incident happened 25 km from Mauritanian shores and many swam to safety though are still dazed, shocked and utterly demoralised. Such harrowing images of dead bodies in water are nothing new and all over the world, conflict, strife and persecution of minorities continue to trigger illegal boat trafficking of people towards economically developed nations. However, little do the desperate people know that the economic condition in the so called nations of comfort and opulence is also precarious with many European countries grappling with recession or recession like conditions. Within these countries, which have a reputation of being prosperous, there is high unemployment with a rising anti immigration sentiment bordering on unmasked xenophobia.   Countless people who managed to cross the sea and crossed into territorial waters of Europe often ended up in crowded refugee shelters with their lives plus future uncertain. When the real picture against the much publicised image of milk and honey is so grim, people need to weigh the pros and cons before being beguiled by embellished pledges made by traffickers and unscrupulous agents.

 While it’s true that political plus economic instability in many nations are driving people to take risks, no one is allowed on a boat to Europe for free. Everyone has to pay for the passage which often costs up to ten thousand Dollars. Rationally speaking, with that amount of money, anyone can start a small business in one’s own country and earn a living.

The trend to impetuously jump into migration boats is mostly seen in developing nations, Bangladesh included, and unless the governments of these countries carry out mass awareness programmes, such illegal enterprises will go on and unfortunate ones will end up dead while trying to catch an elusive paradise. In the Bangladesh perspective where the current trend is to take illegal boats to Malaysia, the authority has to crack down on unethical manpower rings and carry out campaigns to let people know the downsides of associating with traffickers.