168 more British citizens leave Bangladesh

Another 168 British citizens stranded in Bangladesh due to flight suspension amid Covid-19 pandemic left Dhaka for London by a special flight of British Airways this afternoon.

"A chartered flight of British Airways left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3:18pm for London carrying the 168 British passengers," HSIA Director Group Captain AHM Touhid-ul Ahsan told media.

Earlier, around 800 stranded British nationals, most of whom are expatriate Bangladeshis residing in UK permanently, left Dhaka by three special chartered flights of British Airways, arranged by the UK government in coordination of the British High Commission in Bangladesh, on April 21, 23 and 25 respectively.

Meanwhile, the British High Commission in Dhaka today said another five special flights will fly from Dhaka for London carrying the stranded UK citizens on April 29, May 1, 3, 5 and 7 respectively.

The flights are intended for British nationals who are on holiday or are short-term visitors to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh government suspended air communication with all countries except for China from March 16 to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Earlier citizens of various countries including USA, Russia, Japan, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Bhutan, Germany and several other EU countries, left Dhaka following the outbreak of Covid-19 in Bangladesh.