Twenty thousand and five hundred Hajj pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia as of Saturday following the completion of this year鈥檚 Hajj held on June 5.
According to the Hajj office, 2,924 have so far returned to Bangladesh under government management, while 17,576 under private travel agencies management.
It said that 25 men and 4 women Bangladeshi pilgrims passed away in Saudi Arabia. Of them, 19 died in Makkah, nine in Madinah, and one in Arafat.
The Hajj office said that Biman Bangladesh Airlines had so far transported 6,207 pilgrims, while Saudi national carrier Saudia Airlines had brought back 7,873 pilgrims, and 6,420 have returned by Saudi-based Flynas Airlines.
In total, 52 return flights have been operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia Airlines, and Flynas Airlines.
This year鈥檚 Hajj operations began with the first outbound flight on April 29 and concluded on May 31.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs approved 70 Hajj agencies to facilitate the pilgrimage.
The return hajj flight commenced on June 10 and will continue until July 10.