59,783 Bangladeshi pilgrims reach Saudi, death toll rises to 16

59,783 Bangladeshi pilgrims reach Saudi, death toll rises to 16

One more Bangladeshi pilgrim has died in Saudi Arabia while performing Hajj, bringing the total number of deaths among Bangladeshi pilgrims this year to 16. The deceased has been identified as N M Monirul Haque, 45, a resident of Tejgaon in Dhaka, who died in Makkah under private management on Saturday, May 16.

According to the daily bulletin of the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Hajj Portal on Sunday, May 17, a total of 59,783 Bangladeshi pilgrims have now arrived in Saudi Arabia.

Among the 16 deceased, 12 are men and four are women. Twelve died in Makkah and four in Madinah.

So far, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has operated 78 flights, Saudia Airlines 54 flights, and Flynas 22 flights. Flights to Saudi Arabia will continue until May 21.

A total of 78,500 Bangladeshis will perform Hajj this year, with 73,935 under private management and 4,565 under government management. Subject to moon sighting, the holy Hajj will be held on May 26. Return flights will begin on May 30 and continue until June 30.

Earlier on April 18, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated this year's Hajj flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.