Bangladesh ambassador urges ‘proper investigation’ into expat death

A 40-year-old Bangladeshi man has been found dead with severe head wounds at a Hulhumalé construction site, prompting concern and regret from the country’s ambassador.

Police told media that the man was found dead at a Damas Construction site at around 8:20 am. They have yet to say whether they are treating the death as murder.  

“The man was brought to the hospital with several serious head wounds. He was already dead when he was brought here,” Ashiya Solih, the Hulhumalé Hospital spokeswoman told the Maldives Independent.

The hospital refused to comment on the type of head wounds found on the body.

Bangladeshi Ambassador Rear Admiral Akhtar Habib spoke to the Maldives Independent, expressing concern over the recent deaths of Bangladeshi nationals in the Maldives.

“I am very concerned and sad about the death of the Bangladeshi national this morning. We expect a proper investigation. The law should be upheld at all times,” he said. “Proper measures should be taken so that such incidents do not happen anymore”.

He also spoke about the lack of facilities and processes, such as autopsies, to determine the cause of death.

“There have been 30 deaths this year up to September. And most of the workers coming here are young. Their deaths should be properly confirmed.”

He stressed the importance of access to healthcare for migrant workers, calling on authorities to closely monitor workplace safety measures.

“If you think about it, the Bangladeshis, the Indians and the Sri Lankans play a huge part in the economy of the Maldives. They have to be valued and recognised for their contributions here,” he said.

In August, a 33-year-old Maldivian was arrested on suspicion of murdering a Bangladeshi man in Kaafu atoll Himmafushi island.

Earlier this year, a 27-year-old Bangladeshi man, identified as Hassanullah by local media, was found dead on the island of Fonadhoo in Laamu atoll.

Three expatriates suspects were arrested in early April. It is unclear if charges have been raised.

In June 2015, a Bangladeshi undocumented worker was discovered dead with severe head injuries at an uninhabited house on the island of Gan in Laamu atoll, which is connected by a causeway to Fonadhoo.

A month later, a Maldivian man was charged with murder.

The murder victim, identified only as Bassan, was the third migrant worker killed in 2015. The state has pressed charges against a local Maldivian for the murder.