DHAKA : A total of 68,297 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 188 return flights were operated by three designated carriers -- 102 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 63 by Saudia Airlines and 23 by Flynas Airlines," an official said. 

The Hajj office said that so far, 4,459 Hajis have returned under government management, while 63,838 have returned under private travel agencies' arrangements on 188 flights.

According to airline-wise data, 31,981 pilgrims arrived on 102 flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 23,149 on 63 flights of Saudi Airlines, 8,967 on 23 flights of Flynas Airlines and 4,200 Hajis left Saudi Arabia on board with other carriers.

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

Besides, 55 Bangladeshi pilgrims have passed away in Saudi Arabia during Hajj, with 37 males and 18 females. Of them, 37 died in Makkah, 17 in Madinah and one in Jeddah. 

No deaths have been reported in Mina or Muzdalifah.

According to the Hajj bulletin, a total of 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 67,086, while the IT help desk gave services to 28,405 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.