Over 32,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia for Hajj, two deaths reported

They fly into Saudi Arabia on 81 flights for Hajj

Thousands of Bangladeshi pilgrims have poured into Saudi Arabia for Hajj, with 32,532 flying in as authorities reported two deaths.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Hajj portal, as of 2am on Saturday, 3,284 pilgrims travelled under government arrangements, while 29,248 flew via private agencies.

The pilgrims were transported on 81 flights.

Of these, Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated 33 flights carrying 13,684 pilgrims, Saudia ran 30 flights with 11,299 passengers, and Flynas operated 18 flights transporting 7,549 pilgrims.

The ministry confirmed that two pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia this year.

The first fatality was reported on Tuesday, when 75-year-old Md Naim Uddin Mondal from Joypurhat died in Makkah. He had arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday aboard a Flynas flight.

Another pilgrim Md Abul Kashem, 70, from Tangail, died in Makkah on Wednesday. He had travelled to Saudi Arabia on Apr 18 on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines jet.

Official records show that 48 Bangladeshi pilgrims died during Hajj in 2025, while 65 deaths were reported the previous year.

As many as 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh are expected to perform Hajj in 2026, including 4,565 under government arrangements and 73,935 through private agencies.

Thirty lead agencies are managing this year’s Hajj operations.

Pre-Hajj flights will conclude on May 21, with 207 flights scheduled in total -- 102 by Biman, 75 by Saudia, and 30 by Flynas.

Subject to moon sighting, Hajj is expected to take place on May 26. Return flights will begin on May 30 and continue until Jun 30.