A total of 174 Bangladeshi nationals who had been stranded in Libya after migrating there illegally returned home early today under a voluntary repatriation programme implemented jointly by the government, the Bangladesh mission in Libya and the International Organization for Migration.

The repatriates arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport aboard a Buraq Air flight at around 5:00 am, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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

Officials concerned said most of the returnees had entered Libya irregularly after being lured by human traffickers with false promises of reaching Europe through sea routes.

Many of them reportedly became victims of abduction, torture and other forms of abuse during their stay in Libya.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant government agencies and the International Organization for Migration received the returnees at the airport.

As part of reintegration support, the International Organization for Migration provided each returnee with travel expenses, food assistance, primary medical support and temporary accommodation where necessary.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also requested the returnees to share their painful experiences with others to help raise public awareness about the dangers of irregular migration and human trafficking.

Officials said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the International Organization for Migration are continuing joint efforts to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals currently held at different detention centres in Libya.