An additional 157 Bangladeshis have been repatriated from Libya

Today, 157 more stranded irregular Bangladeshi migrants were repatriated from Libya. This repatriation was organized through a joint initiative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), according to a press release from the foreign ministry.

The returnees arrived on a chartered Buraq Air flight (UZ 0222), which landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 4:25 AM on Tuesday. Upon arrival, officials from the foreign ministry and IOM welcomed them at the airport.

Most of the migrants had illegally entered Libya with plans to reach Europe by sea, influenced by human traffickers. Many of them endured abduction and abuse during their time in Libya, the foreign ministry noted.

Officials urged the returnees to raise awareness in their communities about the dangers of irregular migration, especially the risky journey to Europe through Libya. IOM provided each returnee with a cash grant of Tk 6,000, along with food, medical assistance, and temporary accommodation if needed.

The foreign ministry, in collaboration with the Bangladesh mission in Tripoli and IOM, continues its efforts to safely repatriate Bangladeshi nationals detained in various Libyan detention centers.