Pictured: Bibby Stockholm asylum seeker who died in suspected suicide after paying £3,436 to cross the Channel – as his sister claims Albanian national, 27, was ‘treated like an animal’ before his death

An asylum seeker who died on the Bibby Stockholm in a suspected suicide has been named as Albanian national Leonard Farruku.

The 27-year-old is said to have paid nearly £3,500 to cross the Channel in a small boat last summer, before he was placed onto the controversial barge earlier this year.

Mr Farruku’s sister, Jola Dushku, claimed he was being treated ‘like an animal’ on the vessel prior to his death, the Telegraph reports.

Other men living on the vessel said last week that he was screaming ‘very loudly’ at 3am for 15 minutes and could hear banging on the wall of the cabin.

Ms Dushku said: ‘When I spoke with him last time, he told me that the conditions in that boat were not bad but they were treated by the guards like animals.

An asylum seeker who died on the Bibby Stockholm in a suspected suicide has been named as Albanian national Leonard Farruku

The Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, Dorset, where Mr Farruku died last week

More than 29,000 people have crossed the English Channel to reach the UK so far this year – more than the same time in 2021, but fewer than last year

‘My brother, when he arrived in the UK, gave the Home Office the address of our relatives in London. They were contacted by the police who told them what had happened.

READ MORE: Bibby Stockholm asylum seekers reveal migrant who died in suspected suicide on barge was screaming at 3am very loudly for 15 minutes

‘According to our relatives who are in touch with the police, Leonard that night at 11pm in the evening had some problems and was calmed down by the security guard. At 3am he was found dead. We do not have more details about how he died.’ 

Mr Farruku, who was born just outside Durres, Albania’s second biggest city, had come to the UK with the dream of finding work and securing indefinite leave to remain, his sister said.

She added that the loss of both of their parents, but particularly their mother, had changed her brother’s behaviour in recent times.

The first asylum seekers were brought back to the barge, moored at the Port of Portland, in October – two months after it was evacuated following the discovery of potentially fatal Legionella bacteria in the water supply. 

Campaigners have claimed a man on the vessel tried to take their own life earlier this year. 

One man on board told the BBC last week: ‘At 3am he was shouting and screaming very loudly. He was shouting for about 10 or 15 minutes then he went quiet. 

‘There are more people coming in and the situation is getting crammed inside. They are not treating us good and are very hostile. I can’t imagine 500 people living here. The situation will get worse and if more people come there might be more incidents like this.’ 

A second man claimed staff on the barge treated migrants like ‘prisoners’ and ‘the food is not good’. 

The first asylum seekers were brought back to the barge, moored at the Port of Portland, in October – two months after it was evacuated following the discovery of potentially fatal Legionella bacteria in the water supply 

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with everyone affected.

‘The welfare of all those in our care is of the utmost importance, and we take our responsibility for their wellbeing incredibly seriously.

‘This will now be investigated by the police and coroner. It is right that the facts and circumstances surrounding this death are established.’

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