Bibby Stockholm asylum seeker Leonard Farruku's funeral held

Following Leonard Farruku's funeral earlier, members of his family criticised the conditions they say migrants are enduring on board the Bibby Stockholm

The funeral has been held of an asylum seeker who died on board the Bibby Stockholm barge.

Leonard Farruku was found unresponsive on the vessel, which is moored off Portland in Dorset, on 12 December.

Mr Farruku's body had been repatriated to his native Albania for burial after his family raised more than £18,000 through an online appeal.

A pre-inquest hearing was told there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the 27-year-old's death.

Mr Farruku was found unresponsive on the Bibby Stockholm on 12 December

The Bibby Stockholm, which became fully operational in October, has been chartered by the government to hold about 500 people while their asylum claims are processed.

The Home Office has said it takes "very seriously" the welfare of those on board the vessel.

However, following the funeral in Tirana, which was attended by small crowd of family and friends, Mr Farruku's aunt told Reuters her nephew had said conditions on board were not good.

''He said he was treated very badly there. One egg in the morning. 'They treat us like animals', he said," she told the agency.

Floral wreaths were laid on Mr Farruku's grave

Mr Farruku's cousin, Marenglen Farruku, also told Reuters: "He went there for a better life.

"He never showed any sign of distress. There are so many unanswered questions what has happened there."

An imam chanted prayers and family members cried out as Mr Farruku's coffin was lowered into a grave, Reuters reported.

Mr Farruku's roommate on the barge, Yusuf Deen Kargbo, said residents had complained about conditions on board

Mr Farruku's roommate, Yusuf Deen Kargbo, has told BBC News other barge residents might harm themselves if conditions on board did not improve.

He said there had been complaints about poor quality food, cold showers, unreliable wi-fi and concerns not being dealt with.

He said: "They're saying Leonard's death is just the beginning.

"They are trying to give a warning. That place is not good for them. Every day their stress is increasing, getting worse."

In a statement, the Home Office said it took the welfare of barge residents "very seriously" and had "rigorous safeguarding processes in place".

"Any concerns raised about the service delivered on the barge are swiftly addressed through our work with the provider, and Migrant Help 24/7 is also available every day of the year," it added.

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