Over 76,324 Bangladeshis arrive in Saudi Arabia for Hajj, 12 deaths reported

They have travelled to Saudi Arabia on a total of 197 flights

As of now, a total of 76,324 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year, while 12 deaths have been reported during the pilgrimage.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs said in its latest bulletin on Friday that the pilgrims have travelled to Saudi Arabia on 197 flights.

Of these, 38,997 went on 101 Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights, 27,529 on 72 Saudia Airlines flights, and 9,798 on 24 Flynas Airlines flights.

So far, 5,085 people have gone to perform Hajj under government management, and 71,239 have gone to perform Hajj under private management.

The pre-Hajj flights began on Apr 29. Although the flights were supposed to end on May 31, Religious Affairs Advisor AFM Khalid Hossain said it has been extended by one day for “special reasons”.

There, however, has been no change in the return flights. They will start on Jun 10 and end on Jul 10. The Hajj formalities will be held on Jun 5.

This year, 87,100 people have registered to perform Hajj.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed all pilgrim visas had been approved, and 94 percent of the total pilgrims have already reached Saudi Arabia.

The most recent pilgrim to die during Hajj was Md Shahadat Hossain Pathan, a resident of Faridganj in Chandpur. He passed away on Tuesday in Makkah.

A total of 11 men and one woman have died. Six deaths occurred in Makkah and six in Madinah.