50,111 Bangladeshi pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia for Hajj

A total of 50,111 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have so far reached Saudi Arabia through 128 flights, with the highest number transported by Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Director of the Bangladesh Hajj Office Md Lokman Hossain, said 128 flights had landed in Jeddah by 10am today.

According to the Hajj bulletin, 12 pilgrims have died due to natural causes till yesterday. Of them, 10 were men and two women. Ten pilgrims died in Makkah and two in Medina.

The bulletin said the Saudi medical team automatically provided treatment facilities to 18,987 pilgrims, while the IT Helpdesk delivered medical services to 13,011 pilgrims till yesterday.

Lokman Hossain said a total of 78,500 Bangladeshis have been permitted to perform Hajj this year. Of them, 660 agencies are managing Hajj operations under private arrangements, including 30 lead agencies and 630 coordinating agencies.

According to airline-wise data, 23,563 pilgrims travelled on 59 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 18,092 on 47 flights of Saudia, and 8,456 on 22 flights of Flynas.

The remaining 28,262 pilgrims are expected to reach Saudi Arabia gradually through the designated airlines, he added.

The first Hajj flight (BG3001), carrying 418 pilgrims, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on April 17 at 11:57pm for King Abdulaziz International Airport. The flight was inaugurated by Tarique Rahman.

Of the total pilgrims, 4,565 will perform Hajj under government management, while 73,935 will travel under private arrangements, according to the Hajj Office.

The Saudi Embassy in Dhaka has so far issued 78,373 visas, including 4,454 under government management and 73,919 under private management. Subject to moon sighting, the holy Hajj is expected to be held in Saudi Arabia on 26 May.

The return Hajj flights will begin on 30 May.