A Bangladeshi migrant worker who had been missing for 27 years in Malaysia returned home early today, bringing an end to a decades-long wait for his family.

Amir Hossain Talukdar, 62, from Naria upazila of Shariatpur, reached Dhaka around midnight on a Batik Air flight, according to a BRAC press release.

Officials from Civil Aviation Security (Avsec), the Expatriates’ Welfare Desk, and BRAC’s Migration Programme received him at the airport where his family members were also present.

The reunion was marked by an outpouring of emotion, with his son, Babu Talukdar, overwhelmed at seeing his father after nearly three decades.

BRAC arranged his return to Shariatpur and said it would take necessary steps to ensure his treatment and support, given his physical and mental condition.

Amir travelled to Malaysia in 1996 in search of work. For the first three years, he remained in regular contact with his family and sent money home. Then, without warning, communication stopped, according to the press release.

For 27 years, there was no trace of him.

His family searched, waited, and eventually feared the worst.

Babu said his father had worked as a painter and initially stayed in touch.

“Then suddenly, all contact was lost,” he said.

“We thought he might no longer be alive.”

The breakthrough came recently in Penang, when a group of Bangladeshi migrants found Amir living in a small tin shed in a jungle, in a mentally unstable state. They brought him to safety and shared photos and videos on social media, the release said.

The posts drew attention from Bangladeshi expatriate journalist Bappi Kumar Das and another migrant in Penang, Dipu, who helped circulate the information and alert BRAC. Amir’s family later identified him from the images, it added.

Following verification, the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia issued a travel pass and facilitated his return.

Shariful Hasan, associate director of BRAC’s Migration and Youth Platform, described the case as deeply distressing.

“Spending nearly 30 years abroad and remaining out of contact with family for 27 years is extremely heartbreaking,” he said.

He said the role played by fellow migrants was crucial.

“This is not just one man’s return—it is the end of a long wait for an entire family.”

Shariful also said the case highlights the risks and uncertainty faced by migrant workers.

“A person may remain mentally unwell abroad without anyone knowing. We have seen similar incidents before. We do not know how many others may be facing such crises,” he said.

He stressed the need for better tracking of migrant workers.

“In this age of technology, maintaining a database of migrant workers is not impossible, it is necessary. They are citizens of this country, and they sustain our economy.”