The returnees, who voluntarily sought repatriation, were brought back from the Ganfuda Detention Centre in Benghazi with assistance from IOM and the Libyan government.
Bangladeshis return from war-torn Lebanon on 6 November 2024. Photo: Courtesy
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Bangladeshis return from war-torn Lebanon on 6 November 2024. Photo: Courtesy
A total of 168 irregular Bangladeshi nationals detained at the Ganfuda Detention Centre in Benghazi, Libya, were repatriated to Bangladesh today (15 September 2026).
They arrived in Bangladesh at 10:04am on a Buraq Air flight (UZ-222), facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, with assistance from the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Most of the returnees reportedly entered Libya irregularly after being lured and assisted by human traffickers with promises of reaching Europe by sea. Many also alleged that they had been abducted and subjected to abuse at different times while in Libya.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries, along with IOM representatives, received the returnees at the airport.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged them to share their difficult experiences with others to raise public awareness about the risks of irregular migration and human trafficking.
IOM provided each returnee with travel assistance, basic food supplies and primary medical care, as well as temporary accommodation where necessary.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and IOM are continuing to work together to facilitate the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained at various detention centres across Libya.
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