57,422 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims return home

A total of 57,422 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia as of Monday after completing this year’s Hajj, which was held on May 26.

Officials said 138 return flights have been operated so far by three designated airlines - 67 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 50 by Saudia Airlines and 21 by Flynas Airlines.

According to the Hajj office on Tuesday, 4,313 pilgrims returned under government management, while 53,109 returned through private travel agencies.

Airline-wise data shows that 24,499 pilgrims returned on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights, 19,827 on Saudia Airlines, and 8,380 on Flynas Airlines.

Authorities said the remaining pilgrims are expected to return gradually through scheduled flights.

Meanwhile, 52 Bangladeshi pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia during this year’s Hajj. Among them, 37 died in Makkah, 14 in Madinah and one in Jeddah. No deaths were reported in Mina or Muzdalifah.

Hajj bulletin data shows that 415 pilgrims received treatment at different hospitals in Saudi Arabia, while 15 were admitted for inpatient care. In addition, Saudi medical centres provided treatment to 64,751 pilgrims, and IT help desks assisted 27,920 pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.

This year’s Hajj operations began with the first outbound flight on April 18 and concluded on May 21. Return flights started on May 30 and will continue until July 1.

According to the Hajj office, a total quota of 78,500 pilgrims was allocated for Bangladesh this year, including 4,565 under government management and 73,935 under private arrangements.