Dhaka, June 5 -- A total of 29,694 Hajj pilgrims have returned to Bangladesh after their journey to Saudi Arabia. So far, 46 Bangladeshis have died during the pilgrimage this year.

According to the latest bulletin from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 71 return flights had arrived in Bangladesh as of 2am on Thursday. Of the passengers, 3,328 Hajj pilgrims travelled on government packages, while 26,366 others travelled on private packages.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has operated 24 of the return flights so far, carrying 9,981 Hajj pilgrims. Another 11,331 made the trip on 28 flights operated by Saudia Airlines, while 7,700 travelled on 19 flights operated by Flynas Airlines, and 682 returned home on flights operated by other airlines. ...