Over 68K Bangladeshi Hajjis return home

A total of 68,297 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia as of Friday, following the completion of this year's Hajj performed on May 26.

"A total of 188 return flights were operated by three designated carriers -- 102 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 63 by Saudia Airlines and 23 by Flynas Airlines," an official said.

The Hajj office said that so far, 4,459 Hajjis have returned under government management, while 63,838 have returned under private travel agencies' arrangements on 188 flights.

According to airline-wise data, 31,981 pilgrims arrived on 102 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 23,149 on 63 flights operated by Saudia Airlines, and 8,967 on 23 flights operated by Flynas Airlines. Another 4,200 Hajis left Saudi Arabia on board other carriers.

The remaining Hajjis are expected to arrive gradually on designated airlines, the official added.

Besides, 55 Bangladeshi pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia during Hajj, including 37 men and 18 women. Of them, 37 died in Makkah, 17 in Madinah and one in Jeddah.

No deaths have been reported in Mina or Muzdalifah.

According to the Hajj bulletin, a total of 415 Hajjis received treatment at various hospitals in Saudi Arabia due to illness, while 11 Hajjis were hospitalised. Saudi Arabian medical centres provided treatment to 67,086 Hajjis, while the IT help desk provided services to 28,405 Hajjis in Makkah and Madinah.

This year's Hajj operations began with the first outbound flight on April 18 and concluded on May 21.

The return Hajj flights started on May 30 and will continue until July 1.