23,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims return home after Hajj

A total of 23,659 Bangladeshi pilgrims have returned from Saudi Arabia as of Sunday following the completion of this year’s Hajj, which took place on June 5.

According to officials, four return flights were scheduled for Sunday to bring back 822 pilgrims — one each operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudia Airlines, and two by Flynas Airlines.

The Hajj office reported that 4,176 pilgrims have so far returned under government management, while 19,483 pilgrims came back through private travel agencies. A total of 60 return flights have been operated to date — 19 by Biman, 24 by Saudia, and 17 by Flynas.

Tragically, at least 29 Bangladeshi pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia during this year’s Hajj season. The deceased include 25 men and four women. Among them, 18 died in Mecca, nine in Medina, and one in Arafat. No deaths were reported in Jeddah, Mina, or Muzdalifah.

This year’s Hajj operations began on April 29 with the first outbound flight and concluded on May 31. The return flights started on June 10 and are scheduled to continue until July 10.