Published : 08 May 2026, 06:28 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:42 PM
The body of Depali Akter, a Bangladeshi expatriate killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon, has arrived in the country.
A flight from Beirut carrying her remains reached Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday night, according to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam received the body at the airport.
Depali was killed on Apr 8 during a heavy Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s Hamra while staying with the family of her Kafeel, or employer.
Her employer and several members of the family were also killed in the same attack.
During the handover, Shama noted that the Wage Earners' Welfare Board is providing a total of Tk 1.3 million in financial aid to Depali’s family.
“We know no amount of money can bring Depali back, but standing beside the bereaved family is our responsibility,” she said.
She added that ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi nationals living in West Asia remains the government’s top priority under the prime minister’s directive.
The state minister prayed for the salvation of Depali’s soul and pledged continued support for her relatives.
According to Shama, eight Bangladeshis have so far been killed in the ongoing conflict in West Asia, with the bodies of six victims, including Depali, returned home.
Of the remaining two, the remains of one were buried in Saudi Arabia with the family's consent, while the process of bringing back the body of another individual killed in Iraq is ongoing despite “flight complications”.
Explaining the delays in repatriation, she said that bringing back remains during a state of war is “extremely challenging”.
The state minister said it took time to complete formalities due to disrupted flight schedules and the need for diplomatic coordination with governments.
She added that they are making every effort to bring the bodies back as quickly as possible, specifically citing assistance from Saudi Arabia in navigating wartime complexities.
