Dhaka, May 15 -- A total of 56,659 Bangladeshi pilgrims have so far arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year, says the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Of them, 4,444 travelled under the government management, while 52,115 arrived through private Hajj agencies, according to a bulletin issued by the Hajj Management Portal under the ministry at 3:00am on Friday.

So far, a total of 146 flights have transported Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, including 72 operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 52 by Saudia and 22 by Flynas.

Among the carriers, Biman transported 28,448 pilgrims, Saudia carried 19,352, while Flynas flew 8,859 pilgrims to the kingdom.

Officials said the final flight carrying the Hajj pilgrims under the governmen...