Dhaka:A total of 174 undocumented Bangladeshi nationals voluntarily returned from Libya early Tuesday morning. They arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 540 am on a flight operated by Buraq Airlines from Tripoli.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the return was facilitated by the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in coordination with Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya.
Most of the returnees reportedly entered Libya after being lured by human traffickers, with the intention of traveling to Europe illegally by sea. Many of them allegedly suffered kidnapping and torture during their stay in Libya. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries, along with representatives of IOM, were present to welcome the returnees at the airport.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged the returnees to share their experiences to help raise public awareness about the dangers of irregular migration. IOM provided the returnees with travel expenses, some food items, primary healthcare, and temporary accommodation if necessary.
Efforts are ongoing by the ministries, the Bangladesh mission in Tripoli, and the IOM to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained in various detention centers in Libya.