96 more Bangladeshis return home from Lebanon

A total of 96 Bangladeshi nationals evacuated from Lebanon arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday.

An aircraft carrying 65 expatriates including two infants landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Wednesday afternoon via Jeddah. Later, 31 expatriates arrived in Dhaka.

The Foreign Affairs and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment ministries are coordinating with IOM to ensure the safe return of Bangladeshis affected by the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.

There are an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 Bangladeshi nationals in Lebanon, but only about 1,800 have expressed interest for returning home and only 160 have necessary legal documents for repatriation.

The repatriation process is complicated due to lack of proper documentation, which is required to obtain exit clearances and pay associated fees, according to the foreign ministry officials.