34 migrant workers’ bodies brought home

The bodies of 34 Bangladeshi migrant workers arrived in the country on Sunday, from Kuwait, Malaysia, and Libya, according to an official statement.

The deceased were brought back on separate flights and received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Authorities said the repatriation had been delayed due to the ongoing conflict in parts of the Middle East, which left the bodies stranded in the respective countries for an extended period.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment in a press release confirmed that all 34 individuals had died of natural causes. However, the prevailing war situation disrupted the timely return of their remains.

Data from the expatriate welfare desk showed that the majority of the bodies-30 in total-were repatriated from Kuwait. These arrived together on a chartered flight operated by Kuwait Airways on Saturday evening. In addition, two bodies each were flown in from Libya and Malaysia on separate flights, bringing the total to 34.

The ministry stated that financial assistance of Tk 35,000 was provided to each family through the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board to cover burial and related expenses. It also assured that any additional benefits or insurance claims due to the families would be processed and disbursed promptly.

Officials from the airport and representatives of the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board were present during the handover of the bodies to the victims’ relatives.

The incident highlights the continued challenges faced by Bangladeshi migrant workers abroad, particularly in regions affected by conflict, and the difficulties in ensuring timely repatriation in such circumstances.