Fifty Umrah pilgrims from Ishwardi, Pabna, who were scheduled to return home on Tuesday (October 13, 2026), have been left stranded in Saudi Arabia following disruptions to flight operations caused by an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. With their scheduled hotel stay in Makkah having expired, the pilgrims—including elderly individuals, women, and children—are facing severe accommodation and food crises, while several elderly members have fallen ill and required hospitalization.
The incident comes amidst widespread disruption in air travel between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, with the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) reporting that 82 direct and transit flights have been affected, leaving over 13,000 passengers facing uncertainty. In response to safety concerns, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended all flights from Dhaka to Dammam and Riyadh until October 17.
According to local Moallem Mohammad Raihan and stranded pilgrim Sagar Sardar, the group is struggling to secure emergency accommodation and medical support. Ishwardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Hasan Mohammad Shoaib stated that the upazila administration is maintaining close communication with the Pabna district administration to monitor the situation and assist the stranded residents.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by S. M. Raja, Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
