174 Bangladeshis return from Libya

Photo: collected

A total of 174 Bangladeshis returned home from Libya early Tuesday on a Buraq Air flight from Tripoli, the country's capital.

The flight arrived in Bangladesh at 5:40 am on October 27, following repatriation efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, in cooperation with the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, most of the returnees had entered Libya irregularly with the help of human traffickers, hoping to reach Europe by sea. Many reportedly suffered abduction and torture during their stay in Libya.

Officials from the foreign ministry, other relevant ministries and the IOM welcomed the returnees at the airport.

They urged the returnees to share their experiences with others to raise awareness of the dangers of using illegal routes to travel abroad.

The IOM provided each returnee with travel expenses, food and basic medical assistance. Temporary accommodation was also arranged for those who needed it.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and the IOM were working together to safely repatriate Bangladeshis held in various detention centres across Libya.