Dhaka, May 23 -- As of now, a total of 54,497 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year, while nine deaths have been reported during the pilgrimage.

According to the latest Hajj bulletin issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, these pilgrims travelled on 141 flights in total.

Of the flights, Biman Bangladesh Airlines took 27,378 pilgrims across 73 flights, Saudia Airlines carried 18,491 pilgrims via 47 flights, and Flynas Airlines brought 8,628 pilgrims on 21 flights.

Among the pilgrims, 4,583 travelled under the government-managed Hajj programme, while 49,914 went under private arrangements.

This year's pre-Hajj flights began on Apr 29, and are scheduled to continue until May 31. Return flights wil...