Jeddah: A total of 39,398 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia on 98 Hajj flights to perform the holy Hajj this year. Director of the Bangladesh Hajj Office, Md Lokman Hossain, confirmed that these flights had landed in Jeddah by 10:00 am today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, seven pilgrims have died so far due to natural causes, with five fatalities in Makkah and two in Medina. The Saudi medical team has provided treatment to 5,486 pilgrims, while the IT Helpdesk has given medical services to 8,580 pilgrims.
Hossain stated that a total of 78,500 people from Bangladesh have been permitted to perform Hajj this year. Of these, 660 agencies are responsible for handling Hajj operations under private management, including 30 lead agencies and 630 coordinating agencies.
Airline-wise data shows that 18,173 pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia via 44 flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 14,083 through 36 flights of Saudi Airlines, and 7,142 by 18 flights of Flynas Airlines. The remaining 38,938 pilgrims are expected to arrive gradually through designated airlines, as noted by the director.
The first Hajj flight (BG3001), carrying 418 pilgrims, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:57 pm on April 17 for King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated this flight.
Of the total pilgrims, 4,565 will perform Hajj under government management, while 73,935 will proceed under private arrangements, as per Hajj office information. The Saudi Embassy in Dhaka has issued a total of 78,297 visas so far, including 4,419 under government management and 73,878 under private management.
Subject to moon sighting, the holy Hajj is expected to be held in Saudi Arabia on May 26. The return flights are expected to commence departing from Jeddah on May 30, with the last return Hajj flight on June 30.