A total of 77,432 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia through 199 pre-Hajj flights this year to perform the holy Hajj.
Of them, 4,464 travelled under government management, while 77,432 went under private arrangements, said Md Lokman Hossain, director of the Bangladesh Hajj Office.
He said 660 agencies handled Hajj operations in the private sector. This includes 30 lead agencies and 630 coordinating agencies.
The Hajj bulletin said 21 Bangladeshi pilgrims have died so far due to natural causes. This includes 15 men and six women. Of them, 14 died in Makkah and seven in Madinah.
It added that all pre-Hajj flight operations have now been completed. Biman Bangladesh Airlines and two other carriers transported all 77,432 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated 98 flights carrying 38,702 pilgrims. Saudi Airlines operated 73 flights carrying 27,340 pilgrims. Flynas operated 28 flights carrying 11,390 pilgrims to Jeddah and Madinah.
Officials said Saudi medical teams have so far treated 43,440 pilgrims. IT helpdesks have assisted 20,288 pilgrims.
The first Hajj flight, BG3001, carrying 418 pilgrims, left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on 17 April at 11:57pm.
According to the Islamic lunar calendar, this year’s Hajj will be observed in Saudi Arabia on 26 May.
Bangladeshi pilgrims are scheduled to start returning home from 30 May. The final return flight is set for 30 June.
