A total of 27 Bangladeshi pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia while performing Hajj this year, according to official data released on Sunday.
Among the deceased, 18 were men and nine were women. Of them, 18 died in Makkah and nine in Madinah.
The information was confirmed by Airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Hajj Office.
According to the latest figures, 79,164 Bangladeshi pilgrims and Hajj management personnel have so far arrived in Saudi Arabia this year. Of them, 4,464 travelled under government management, while 73,926 went under private arrangements.
Another 774 people travelled as Hajj agency representatives, Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAB) representatives and members of different management teams.
A total of 201 flights operated to transport pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated 98 flights, Saudi Airlines operated 73 and Flynas operated 30 flights.
Among the pilgrims, 38,702 travelled on Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 27,340 on Saudi Airlines and 12,157 on Flynas.
This year’s Hajj is scheduled to be held on 26 May.
Hajj flights from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia began on 18 April, while the final outbound flight departed on 21 May.
Return flights after Hajj will begin on 30 May and continue until 30 June.
