Dhaka: Another batch of 48 Bangladeshi human smuggling victims returned from Myanmar on Wednesday.

The Bangladeshi nationals were brought back through Ghundum border point in Naikhyongchhari upazila of Bandarban district following a flag meeting.

A 20-member Bangladesh delegation, comprising members of Border Guard Bangladesh, police, district administration officials and representatives of International Organisation for Migration (IOM), led by commanding officer of BGB Battalion-17 Lt Col Imran Ullah Sarker, went to Tekibonia Border Outpost of Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) at about 11:00am where they held the flag meeting.

Later, the Myanmar authorities formally handed the 48 Bangladeshis over to the BGB through the friendship bridge of Ghundum border at about 2:30pm. The Bangladeshi nationals were then taken to Cox’s Bazar.

With this, a total of 777 Bangladeshi human smuggling victims have so far returned from Myanmar.

Earlier, 729 Bangladeshis were brought back home from Myanmar in six phases this year.

The present group was part of the victims of human smuggling through the Indian Ocean region who were rescued by the Myanmar authorities in different times.

Contacted, BGB Chittagong Region Commander Brig General Habibul Karim said 33 more Bangladeshi human smuggling victims were waiting in Myanmar for repatriation. ‘On completion of formalities, including verifying their identities, they will be brought back soon,’ he added.