65,592 Bangladeshi pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia, death toll rises to 18

A total of 65,592 Bangladeshi pilgrims have so far arrived in Saudi Arabia on 169 Hajj flights to perform the holy Hajj pilgrimage this year.

Meanwhile, the death toll among Bangladeshi pilgrims has risen to 18 after another pilgrim died in Saudi Arabia.

The information was disclosed through the daily bulletin of the IT Help Desk on the Hajj portal of the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday (May 19).

The latest deceased pilgrim was identified as Sajeda Begum, 56, from Sonagazi in Feni. She died in Mecca on Sunday (May 17). She had travelled under private Hajj management.

Of the 18 deceased pilgrims, 13 were men and five were women. Among them, 13 died in Mecca and five in Medina.

So far, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has operated 86 flights, while Saudia operated 61 and Flynas operated 22 flights carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims.

The holy Hajj is scheduled to be held on May 26 this year.

A total of 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh are expected to perform Hajj in 2026. Of them, 73,935 are travelling under private management, while 4,565 are under government management.

The official Hajj flight operations for this year were inaugurated on April 18 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Tarique Rahman.

Flights carrying pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will continue until May 21, while return flights after Hajj will begin on May 30 and continue until June 30.