Over 41,000 Bangladeshis reach Saudi Arabia for Hajj, 7 pilgrims die

The pilgrims were transported via 104 flights, including 49 operated by Biman and 37 by Saudia, according to an official statement

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has confirmed that 41,629 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.

Of the arrivals, 4,071 travelled under government management, while 37,558 went through private agencies, according to the bulletin released on Saturday.

The pilgrims were transported via 104 flights.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated 49 flights carrying 20,066 passengers, Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) flew 14,016 pilgrims on 37 flights, and Flynas transported 7,547 people via 18 flights.

The ministry confirmed that seven pilgrims, all of them men, have died in the kingdom so far this year. Five of the deaths occurred in Makkah and two in Madinah.

The most recent casualty was identified as 63-year-old Shamsul Alam, a resident of Rangpur.

Travelling under government management, Shamsul died at King Fahad Hospital in Madinah on Apr 28 while undergoing treatment for physical weakness and illness.

He was buried in the Jannat-al-Baqi cemetery following Fajr prayers on Wednesday.

The death toll among Bangladeshi pilgrims stood at 48 in 2025 and 65 in 2024.

This year, 78,500 Bangladeshis are expected to perform the Hajj.

This includes 4,565 under government management and 73,935 through private agencies.

The pre-Hajj flight operations, which began on Apr 18, will continue until May 21.

Depending on the sighting of the moon, Hajj is expected to take place on May 26.

Return flights are scheduled to begin on May 30 and conclude by June 30.