150 Bangladeshis stranded in Libya return home

150 more irregular Bangladeshi migrants, who were stranded in Libya, returned home on Thursday (October 10).

They returned home in a chartered Buraq Air flight, which landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 6:15 pm.

The repatriation has taken place under the joint initiative of the foreign ministry, Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a foreign ministry’s press release said.

Upon their arrival, the officials of the foreign ministry and IOM received the repatriated migrants at the airport.

Most of the returnees had entered Libya illegally with the intention of reaching Europe by sea, influenced and aided by human traffickers. Many of them had suffered abduction and abuse during their time in Libya, said the foreign ministry.

The foreign ministry’s officials urged the returnees to raise awareness within their communities about the danger of illegal migration, particularly the perilous journey to Europe via Libya.

The IOM provided each repatriated individual with a cash grant of Tk6,000, food supplies, medical assistance, and temporary accommodation if required.

The foreign ministry along with the Bangladesh mission in Tripoli and IOM are making tirelessly stride to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained in various detention centers across Libya.