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Wednesday | October 28, 2026 | Dhaka

174 BD expats repatriated from Libya

 Diplomatic Correspondent
 Published: 12:03 AM, 28 October 2026

A total of 174 undocumented Bangladeshi nationals who opted for voluntary repatriation have returned home from Libya with assistance from the Libyan government and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

The returnees arrived in Dhaka at 5.40am on a Buraq Air flight, UZ-222, from Tripoli, following a coordinated initiative involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the IOM.

According to the foreign ministry, most of the returnees had entered Libya illegally after being lured by human traffickers who promised to facilitate their journeys to Europe by sea.

Many of them reportedly experienced abduction and torture at different times during their stay in Libya, highlighting the dangers faced by Bangladeshis attempting to reach Europe through irregular migration routes.

Officials from the foreign ministry and other relevant agencies, along with IOM representatives, welcomed the returnees at the airport.

The foreign ministry urged the repatriated Bangladeshis to share their experiences with others to raise public awareness about the risks of irregular migration and the activities of human trafficking networks.

The IOM is providing each returnee with travel expenses, food supplies and basic medical assistance, as well as temporary accommodation where necessary, the ministry said.

The foreign ministry added that the Bangladesh embassy in Libya, the expatriates’ welfare ministry and the IOM were continuing their joint efforts to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals held at various detention centres across Libya.

The latest repatriation highlights the continuing risks faced by Bangladeshi migrants who fall prey to trafficking networks while seeking opportunities in Europe. Authorities have urged greater awareness of the dangers of irregular migration as efforts continue to bring detained Bangladeshis home safely.