More 171 Bangladeshi nationals, detained in Libya returned home on Thursday under a voluntary repatriation programme jointly facilitated by the Bangladesh government, Libyan authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The returnees, who had been held at the Ganfouda Detention Centre in Benghazi, arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6:22am aboard a Buraq Air flight, according to a Foreign Ministry press release.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment coordinated the repatriation with the support of the Libyan government and the IOM.

According to the ministry, most of the returnees had illegally entered Libya after being lured by human traffickers with promises of reaching Europe through dangerous sea routes.

Many of them reportedly became victims of abduction and torture during their stay in Libya.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, other relevant agencies and the IOM received the returnees at the airport.

The Foreign Ministry urged the repatriated migrants to share their painful experiences with the public to help raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration and human trafficking.

The IOM provided each returnee with travel allowances, food assistance, primary healthcare and temporary accommodation where necessary to support their immediate reintegration.

The Foreign Ministry said it is continuing to work closely with the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the IOM to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained at different detention centres across Libya.