DHAKA : A total of 61,697 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have 
returned home from Saudi Arabia as of Friday, following the completion of 
this year's Hajj held on May 26.

"A total of 156 return flights were operated by three designated carriers -- 
78 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 56 by Saudia Airlines and 22 by Flynas 
Airlines," an official said.
 
The Hajj office said, so far, 4,319 Hajis returned under government 
management while 57,378 under private travel agencies' arrangements in 156 
flights.

According to airline-wise data, 27,363 pilgrims arrived on 78 flights of 
Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 21,652 on 56 flights of Saudi Airlines, 8,672 on 
22 flights of Flynas Airlines and 4,010 Hajis with other carriers.

The remaining Hajis are expected to arrive gradually through designated 
airlines, the official added.

Besides, 54 Bangladeshi pilgrims have passed away in Saudi Arabia during Hajj 
with 36 males and 18 females. Of them, 37 died in Makkah, 16 in Madinah and 
one in Jeddah. 

No deaths have been reported in Mina, or Muzdalifah.

According to the Hajj bulletin, a total 415 Hajis received treatment from 
various hospitals in Saudi Arabia due to diseases, while 11 Hajis were 
hospitalized. Saudi Arabian medical centres provided treatment to 66,249, 
while the IT help desk gave services to 28,198 Hajis in Makkah and Madinah.

This year's Hajj operations began with the first outbound flight on April 18 
and concluded on May 21.

The return Hajj flights started on May 30 and will continue until July 1.

Of the total pilgrims quota was 78,500 including 4,565 under government 
management, while 73,935 will go under private arrangements, according to 
Hajj office information.