168 more Bangladeshis return home from Libyan detention centres

Another 168 Bangladeshis who were stranded in Libyan detention camps after being rescued from the Mediterranean Sea have returned home.

They arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka after 10am on Tuesday, September 15, on a chartered flight of Buraq Air, with assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The Bangladesh Embassy in Libya said these expatriates, who were detained at the Ganfouda Detention Centre in Benghazi, departed for home last night, Monday. They had been held at the detention centre for a long time after being rescued by the country's coast guard while attempting to enter Europe illegally across the Mediterranean.

The embassy further said coordinated efforts are underway with local authorities and IOM to ensure the safe and humane repatriation of Bangladeshis detained in various centres in Libya.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Embassy issued a stern warning against travelling abroad illegally and through risky routes. It said attempts to travel illegally by sea often lead to catastrophic consequences. Many lose their lives, go missing or are held hostage by human trafficking rings. Others are forced to remain imprisoned in immigrant detention centres for long periods. Therefore, citizens have been strongly urged to avoid such risky routes and not fall prey to the temptations of brokers or traffickers.

Earlier, on September 1, another 174 Bangladeshis were rescued from Libyan detention camps and brought back home through the same process.