BSS, Dhaka

A total of 77,432 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia through 199 pre-hajj flights to perform hajj this year.

Of the total pilgrims, 4,464 travelled under government management, while 77,432 were sent under private arrangements, said Md Lokman Hossain, director of the Bangladesh Hajj Office.

He added that 660 agencies were involved in managing hajj operations under the private sector, including 30 lead agencies and 630 coordinating agencies.

According to the hajj bulletin, 21 Bangladeshi pilgrims have died of natural causes so far, including 15 men and six women. Of them, 14 died in Makkah and seven in Madinah.

The bulletin further said pre-hajj flight operations have now been completed, with Biman Bangladesh Airlines and two other carriers transporting all 77,432 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

Officials said Saudi medical teams have so far provided treatment services to 43,440 pilgrims, while IT helpdesks have assisted 20,288 pilgrims.

This year’s hajj will be observed on May 26.

Bangladeshi pilgrims are scheduled to begin returning home from May 30, while the final return flight is set for June 30.