Dhaka, April 23 -- A total of 174 Bangladeshi nationals detained in various centres in Libya were repatriated today (Thursday) through a joint initiative involving Bangladesh authorities, the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The returnees, who voluntarily wished to come back home, arrived at 7:45 am on a Buraq Air flight, BSS reports citing a foreign ministry's press release.

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 IOM.

Most of the returnees reportedly entered Libya illegally after being lured by human traffickers with promise...