63,783 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims return home

Dhaka: More than 63,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia following the completion of Hajj 2026, according to official data released on June 22.

A total of 63,783 pilgrims arrived in Bangladesh through 164 return flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia, and Flynas. Among them, Biman transported pilgrims on 84 flights, while Saudia carried on 58 flights. Flynas brought back pilgrims on 22 flights. Some pilgrims also returned to the country on other scheduled airlines.

Officials said, the remaining pilgrims are expected to arrive in phases over the coming days as the repatriation process continues.

Meanwhile, 54 Bangladeshi pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia during this year's Hajj. The deceased included 36 men and 18 women. Of the total deaths, 37 occurred in Makkah, 16 in Madinah and one in Jeddah.

This year's Hajj operations began with the first outbound flight on April 18 and ended on May 21. Return flights commenced on May 30 and are scheduled to continue until July 1.

The annual Islamic pilgrimage was observed on May 26 this year, drawing millions of worshippers to the holy sites in Saudi Arabia.