One hundred and seventy four more Bangladeshi nationals detained in various centres in Libya were repatriated on Thursday through a joint initiative involving Bangladesh authorities, the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration.

The returned, who voluntarily wished to come back home, arrived at 7:45am on a Buraq Air flight, said a foreign ministry’s press release here.

The repatriation was coordinated by the Bangladesh embassy in Libya, the ministry of foreign affairs, and the ministry of expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment with support from the Libyan authorities and the IOM.

Most of the returnees reportedly entered Libya illegally after being lured by human traffickers with promises of reaching Europe through sea routes.

Many of them allegedly suffered abduction and torture at different times while staying in Libya.

Officials of the ministry of foreign affairs, relevant ministries and the IOM received the returnees at the airport.

The foreign ministry requested the returned to share their distressing experiences to help raise public awareness against irregular migration and human trafficking.

The IOM provided each returnee with travel expenses, food supplies, primary medical care and temporary accommodation where necessary.

The ministry of foreign affairs, Bangladesh embassy in Libya, ministry of expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment and the IOM are continuing efforts to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals held in Libyan detention centres.