Dream Job Journey Ends in Tragedy

Eighteen-year-old Mohammad Fahad of Uttar Jowara village in Chandanaih Upazila, Chattogram, set off from Dhaka on 30 January with hopes of securing employment in South Africa. What was meant to be a routine journey through Ethiopia and Zimbabwe turned into a harrowing ordeal, culminating in his untimely death on 15 February.

Fahad’s father, Nur Mohammad (45), recounted his anguish, clutching a photograph of his son: “My son went in search of a job, but he returned as a lifeless body. They tortured him to death. Now, where can I find my son?”

Fahad’s travel plan originally involved a flight from Dhaka to Ethiopia, followed by a connecting flight via Zimbabwe to South Africa. However, human traffickers diverted him through a jungle route from Ethiopia to Zimbabwe, after which he travelled by road to South Africa. On the morning of 15 February, Nur Mohammad received word that his son had arrived in South Africa, only to be informed by another call that night that Fahad had died.

The family believes that the combination of extreme travel, hunger, illness, and lack of medical care led to Fahad’s death. Despite being provided with $200 and sufficient dry food for the journey, all provisions were reportedly stolen during the treacherous jungle passage, subjecting Fahad to severe hardship.

The initiative to repatriate Fahad’s body was undertaken promptly. On Thursday morning, at approximately 9:30 am, his body arrived at the family home. A funeral prayer was held at 10 am in the grounds of Jowara Jame Mosque, attended by numerous family members and villagers, followed by interment in the family cemetery.

Nur Mohammad expressed his frustration with the traffickers, noting that they had only booked Fahad’s flight to Ethiopia and refused to arrange further travel by air, forcing him onto a perilous overland route that ultimately proved fatal.

South African businessman Mohammad Shamim, based in Musina, assisted in bringing Fahad’s remains home. He recounted, “I noticed a trafficker near the house where Fahad was being kept. Sensing something was wrong, I entered the room and discovered his body. After confirming his identity through his passport and documents, I contacted his family.”

Nur Mohammad expressed profound gratitude to Shamim: “Without him, we might never have recovered my son’s body. The traffickers would have hidden it. I am deeply thankful to everyone who helped.”

Fahad’s Journey Overview

This tragic incident highlights the perils faced by young migrants in search of employment abroad, often falling prey to human traffickers and unsafe travel routes. Fahad’s family and the local community have urged stronger measures against illegal labour brokers to prevent similar tragedies in the future.