Another group of 82 Bangladeshis stranded in war-torn Lebanon has returned home with the support of the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The Foreign Ministry disclosed the information through a press release on Friday (Nov 22).

According to the release, 82 stranded Bangladeshis voluntarily returned via an Emirates Airlines flight. Among them, 76 were repatriated at the government’s expense, while six were supported by IOM funding.

The 76 individuals had registered with the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut, and the remaining six registered with the IOM. A total of 697 Bangladeshis have so far been brought back from Lebanon on 11 flights.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Md Ruhul Amin, Foreign Ministry Additional Secretary Syed Masud Mahmud Khondker, and IOM officials welcomed the returnees at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

However, one Bangladeshi has been reported dead so far due to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.

The government assured that all Bangladeshi expatriates wishing to return from Lebanon during the ongoing conflict would be brought back at state expense. The Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut is working to ensure the safe return of those willing to come back and the security of those who choose to stay.