37 Bangladeshi pilgrims dies during hajj, return flights begin

Bangladeshi pilgrims have started returning home after completing the Hajj, but the journey has been marked by the sad loss of 37 citizens. By early Sunday morning, a total of 6,175 pilgrims had safely arrived in Bangladesh across 15 return flights, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The 37 pilgrims who passed away in Saudi Arabia included 24 men and 13 women. Authorities reported that 27 died in Mecca, while 10 passed away in Medina. In addition, 176 Bangladeshi pilgrims have received medical care at local Saudi hospitals, with 26 still in hospital and receiving treatment.

The process of bringing the pilgrims back began on 30 May. The first return flight, operated by Saudi Airlines, left Jeddah late at night and arrived in Dhaka early the next morning with 445 passengers.

So far, three airlines are working together to bring the pilgrims home. Flynas has carried the most passengers, flying 3,300 people on eight flights. Saudi Airlines has brought back 1,691 passengers on four flights, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines has flown 1,184 people on three flights.

To make sure the remaining pilgrims return safely and smoothly, a special meeting was held on Saturday in Mecca. Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad led the meeting, which focused on checking the medical care and housing available to the pilgrims before they travelled back.

This year, Bangladesh sent over 78,000 people to perform the Hajj. While a small number travelled under government management, the vast majority went through private agencies. The return flights will continue operating every day until 30 June.