Dhaka: A total of 20,500 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia as of Saturday following the completion of this year's holy Hajj, held on June 5.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, official data from the Hajj office indicates that 2,924 pilgrims returned under government management, while 17,576 came back under private travel agency management. The data also revealed that 29 Bangladeshi pilgrims have passed away in Saudi Arabia, comprising 25 males and 4 females. Of these, 19 deaths occurred in Makkah, 9 in Madinah, and one in Arafat, with no deaths reported in Jeddah, Mina, or Muzdalifah.
The Hajj office further reported that Biman Bangladesh Airlines has transported 6,207 pilgrims, while the Saudi national carrier Saudia Airlines has brought back 7,873 pilgrims, and 6,420 have returned via Saudi-based Flynas Airlines. In total, 52 return flights have been operated so far, with 16 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 20 by Saudia Airlines, and 16 by Flynas Airlines.
This year's Hajj operations commenced with the first outbound flight on April 29 and concluded on May 31. The Ministry of Religious Affairs approved 70 Hajj agencies to facilitate the pilgrimage. The return Hajj flights began on June 10 and are scheduled to continue until July 10.
Authorities are closely monitoring the ongoing return flights and healthcare issues to ensure a safe homecoming for all pilgrims, as stated by the Hajj office.