Dhaka: A total of 70,756 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia through 182 Hajj flights, as reported by the Director of the Bangladesh Hajj Office, Md Lokman Hossain. The 182nd flight landed in Jeddah by 10 am today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, 18 pilgrims have died due to natural causes so far. Among them, 13 were male and five female, with 13 passing away in Makkah and five in Medina. The Saudi medical team has provided treatment to 38,864 pilgrims, while the IT Helpdesk offered medical services to 18,894 until yesterday.
The total number of Bangladeshis permitted to perform Hajj this year is 78,500, with 660 agencies managing Hajj operations under private management. This includes 30 lead agencies and 630 coordinating agencies. Biman Bangladesh Airlines transported 36,835 pilgrims on 93 flights, Saudi Airlines carried 25,045 on 66 flights, and Flynas Airlines flew 8,876 on 23 flights.
The remaining 7,634 pilgrims are expected to arrive gradually through designated airlines. The last Hajj flight is scheduled for May 21, with the first return flight from Jeddah on May 30 and the final return flight on June 30.
The first Hajj flight, BG3001, carrying 418 pilgrims, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on April 17 at 11:57 pm for King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the flight. Of the total pilgrims, 4,565 will perform Hajj under government management, while 73,935 will go under private arrangements.
The Saudi Embassy in Dhaka has issued a total of 78,390 visas, including 4,465 under government management and 73,925 under private management. The holy Hajj is expected to be held in Saudi Arabia on May 26, subject to moon sighting.