Over 11,600 Bangladeshi Hajj Pilgrims Return Home

A total of 11,613 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia as of Sunday, following the completion of this year's holy Hajj.

According to an official familiar with the development, 28 return flights have been operated so far by three designated carriers to bring the pilgrims back safely.

Data from the Dhaka Hajj Office reveals that out of the total returned pilgrims, 1,253 traveled under government management, while 10,360 arrived via private travel agency arrangements. 

These arrivals were distributed across 28 flights: six operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, eight by Saudia Airlines, and 14 by Flynas Airlines.

The repatriation process is set to scale up significantly over the coming days. "We expect that 5,698 Hajis will return today by 14 flights while 3,254 will come tomorrow (June 2) with eight flights," the official added.

According to the upcoming flight schedule, 4,513 pilgrims are slated to return on June 3 via 11 flights, followed by 3,248 across eight flights on June 4. Another 2,925 pilgrims are scheduled to land on June 5 aboard seven flights.

Tragically, the Hajj office also confirmed that at least 41 Bangladeshi pilgrims passed away in Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage. The deceased include 27 males and 14 females. 

Geographically, 30 of these deaths occurred in the holy city of Makkah and 11 in Madinah, while no fatalities were reported in Jeddah, Mina, or Muzdalifah.

This year's overall Hajj operations originally commenced with the first outbound departure flight on April 18 and wrapped up its initial phase on May 21. 

The return Hajj flights officially started on May 30 and will continue running until June 30.