Over 68,000 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims return home

Dhaka: More than 68,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia following the completion of Hajj 2026, with return operations expected to conclude on July 1.

According to official figures, 68,297 pilgrims had arrived in Bangladesh by Friday through 188 return flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia Airlines, and Flynas.

Biman carried the largest share of returning pilgrims, operating 102 flights that transported 31,981 passengers.

Saudia Airlines flew 23,149 pilgrims on 63 flights, while Flynas brought back 8,967 pilgrims on 23 services.

Another 4,200 pilgrims returned on other airlines.

Of the total arrivals, 4,459 pilgrims traveled under the government's Hajj management program, while 63,838 returned through private Hajj agencies.

Authorities said, the remaining pilgrims will return on scheduled flights over the coming days.

During this year's pilgrimage, 55 Bangladeshi pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia, including 37 men and 18 women.

Most of the deaths occurred in Makkah, followed by Madinah and Jeddah. No fatalities were reported in Mina or Muzdalifah.

Health officials also reported that 415 Bangladeshi pilgrims received hospital treatment during Hajj, with 11 requiring hospitalization.

Saudi medical facilities provided healthcare services to more than 67,000 pilgrims, while IT support teams assisted over 28,000 pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.

Bangladesh's Hajj flights began on April 18, while return operations started on May 30 and are scheduled to end on July 1.