Dhaka: A total of 48,227 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have successfully reached Saudi Arabia through 123 Hajj flights, as confirmed by Md Lokman Hossain, Director of the Bangladesh Hajj Office. These flights have been landing in Jeddah, with the latest count reaching 123 by 10 am today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Hajj bulletin reported that 10 pilgrims have died due to natural causes so far, comprising eight men and two women. Eight of these deaths occurred in Makkah, while two were in Medina. The Saudi medical team has provided treatment to 15,814 pilgrims, and the IT Helpdesk has assisted 11,955 individuals with medical services up to yesterday.
Md Lokman Hossain stated that this year, a total of 78,500 people from Bangladesh have been permitted to perform Hajj. The operations are being managed by 660 agencies, which include 30 lead agencies and 630 coordinating agencies operating under private management.
Airline-wise data shows that 22,791 pilgrims arrived on 57 flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 17,345 on 45 flights of Saudi Airlines, and 8,091 on 21 flights of Flynas Airlines. The remaining 30,145 pilgrims are expected to arrive gradually through designated airlines.
The inaugural Hajj flight (BG3001), carrying 418 pilgrims, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on April 17 at 11:57 pm, heading to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman officiated the inauguration of this flight.
Of the total pilgrims, 4,565 will perform Hajj under government management, while 73,935 will undertake the pilgrimage under private arrangements. The Saudi Embassy in Dhaka has issued a total of 78,372 visas, including 4,457 for government-managed pilgrims and 73,915 for those managed privately.
The holy Hajj is expected to be held in Saudi Arabia on May 26, subject to the sighting of the moon. Return flights will commence from Jeddah on May 30, with the last return Hajj flight scheduled for June 30.