A total of 170 Bangladeshi nationals were repatriated from Libya on Tuesday as authorities renewed warnings against human trafficking and irregular migration through dangerous sea routes to Europe.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the same day, the returnees, who had expressed their willingness to come back home, arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka from Benghazi by a Buraq Air flight at around 5 am.

The repatriation process was carried out with the cooperation of the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through coordinated efforts by the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

According to officials, most of the repatriated Bangladeshis had illegally entered Libya after being lured by human traffickers with false promises of reaching Europe by sea. Many of them reportedly became victims of abduction and torture during their stay in Libya.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant government agencies, and the IOM formally received the returnees at the airport.

The foreign ministry urged the returnees to share their traumatic experiences with their communities to help raise public awareness about the extreme risks of irregular migration and human trafficking.

To assist with their reintegration, the IOM provided each returnee with travel allowances, food assistance, primary medical care, and temporary accommodation where necessary.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the IOM are continuing their joint efforts to ensure the safe return of Bangladeshi nationals who remain detained at various detention centres across Libya.