A Bangladeshi Air Force (BAF) aircraft returned with 71 Bangladeshi nationals who lived in Beirut, Lebanon on Wednesday.

According to a press release, the C-130J transport aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force carrying 71 Bangladeshi nationals who lived in Lebanon returned home after handing over humanitarian and relief assistance to the victims of the explosion in Beirut on August 4.

The mission was led by Group Captain Santanu Chowdhury, comprising 12 BAF air crew. The mission was conducted under the guidance of Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, the press release said.

Emergency relief and medical supplies, a physician and a technical team were sent to Lebanon on August 9 to help the people affected by the explosion, including Bangladeshi expats and members of the Bangladesh Navy deployed in UN peacekeeping operations in Beirut, the press release said.

The Bangladesh Air Force has always been providing air transport services to carry relief and humanitarian assistance to the victims of any disaster in friendly countries as per the guidance of the Government of Bangladesh, the press release further said.

The BAF expects that the friendly relations between Bangladesh and Lebanon will be further enhanced by this mission.