Govt urges Bangladeshis in South Lebanon to relocate to safer areas

The government of Bangladesh has urged its nationals residing in the southern districts of Lebanon to immediately relocate to safer areas as armed conflict in the Middle East continues to intensify.

Citing the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut, the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry called on Bangladeshi citizens living in rural areas of the Nabatieh, Tyre (Sur), Bint Jbeil, Marjayoun, and Sidon districts to evacuate to secure locations without delay, according to an advisory issued by the ministry on Tuesday.

The advisory warned nationals to avoid any installations or areas that could potentially be targeted by Israeli forces.

It further urged workers to leave premises where their kafeel (sponsor), family members of the sponsor, or management personnel are no longer present, as such locations may no longer guarantee adequate protection or support.

A significant number of Bangladeshi domestic workers and labourers are employed across households in southern Lebanon. With tensions sharply escalating in the region amid the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut stated that it is closely monitoring the situation on the ground.

Nationals in distress or in need of emergency assistance have been requested to contact the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut immediately.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh issued a press release strongly condemning an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon that resulted in the deaths of two Bangladeshi nationals. 

The deceased were identified as Shafiqul Islam of Satkhira Sadar and Md Nahidul Islam Nahid is from Ashashuni in Satkhira.

The government expressed its profound grief and deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.