Biman Finds No Proof in Hajj Luggage Theft Claim

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has found no evidence supporting a viral social media claim that belongings were stolen from the luggage of around 150 Hajj pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia.

It disclosed the findings on Wednesday following an internal investigation into allegations that around 150 pilgrims discovered their luggage cut open after arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The claim was circulated through a Facebook post from an account named Mostafa Kamal Palash after a special Biman Hajj flight carrying 419 passengers landed in Dhaka early Tuesday.

According to a report signed by Shahnoor Ahmad, Biman general manager (customer services), investigators found no indication that luggage had been tampered with or stolen from within the airport premises.

However, the report confirmed that around 21 bags were found in a damaged condition while being unloaded from the aircraft.

Several passengers who reported that they found their luggage cut told Biman officials that they had packed Zamzam water and liquid cosmetic products in their checked baggage.

The national flag carrier said Saudi regulations strictly prohibit carrying Zamzam water inside checked luggage and also restrict improperly sealed liquid items. As a result, Saudi airport security authorities might have cut open luggage during screening and confiscated such prohibited items.

According to the report, the luggage was transported from the aircraft to the baggage delivery area under direct security supervision, with Airport Security Authority personnel present throughout the process.

Biman reviewed footage from body-worn cameras used by ground handling staff as well as CCTV recordings from the runway and sorting areas. The footage showed that the around 21 damaged bags were already in that condition when they were received by handling staff from the aircraft.

The airline further stated that there was no clear evidence supporting the claim that 150 passengers had their luggage cut. In reality, only five to six passengers verbally informed ground staff that they had received torn or damaged bags.

Officials said the affected passengers reported carrying Zamzam water, dates, shampoos and lotions in their luggage. No valuable items were reported missing, although one passenger verbally mentioned that a wallet was missing from a bag.

Ground handling staff advised the passengers to file formal complaints at the airport's Lost and Found Desk. However, none of the passengers submitted written complaints before leaving the airport.

Biman also reiterated that international aviation regulations prohibit passengers from placing cash or wallets inside checked baggage. Carrying such items without proper declaration violates aviation rules and security protocols.

It said damaged luggage was likely linked to enforcement of Saudi airport security regulations rather than any theft occurring at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, reports UNB.