43,019 pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia, 7 die during Hajj

Photo : Collected

A total of 43,019 Bangladeshi pilgrims have so far arrived in Saudi Arabia on 108 flights to perform Hajj, according to the latest official bulletin released on Sunday (3 May).

The update also confirmed that seven Bangladeshi pilgrims have died during the pilgrimage so far, including five in Makkah and two in Madina.

Among those who have travelled, 20,483 pilgrims flew on 50 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 14,646 on 39 flights by Saudi Airlines, and 7,890 on 19 flights operated by Flynas.

This year, a total of 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh have been permitted to perform Hajj. The overall operation is being managed by 660 agencies, including 30 lead agencies and 630 coordinating agencies.

The first Hajj flight departed on April 17 at 11:57pm from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, carrying 419 pilgrims to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

According to officials, 4,565 pilgrims are performing Hajj under government arrangements, while the remaining 73,935 are travelling through private management.

Subject to the sighting of the moon, Hajj is expected to take place on May 26 in Saudi Arabia.

Return flights are scheduled to begin from Jeddah on May 30, with the final return flight to Dhaka expected on June 30.