120 Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Still Hospitalised in Saudi Arabia

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reported that 120 Indonesian pilgrims are still receiving treatment in Saudi Arabian hospitals and will be repatriated as soon as they are declared fit to fly. “There are still 120 pilgrims being treated. They will be repatriated once they are declared fit to fly,” said Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang, on Tuesday. Gus Irfan stated that the pilgrims currently hospitalised in Saudi Arabia remain the responsibility of the Indonesian Government until they can return home. Their health conditions will continue to be monitored by hajj officers who remain on duty. Once their condition improves and they are declared fit to fly, they will be repatriated. “Even if their flight group has already returned, we will certainly send them home once the doctor says they are fit to fly,” he said. Meanwhile, a total of 350 pilgrims have passed away in Saudi Arabia to date. Although this figure is lower than the previous year, the Minister stressed that the mortality rate must continue to be reduced by strengthening health screening (istitha’ah). “We consider this a significant number, but Alhamdulillah it is below last year’s figure, with a difference of more than 100. So this is an achievement for us, though not a satisfying one. Next year we will immediately tighten and strengthen the health istitha’ah for our pilgrims,” he said. As of Tuesday, 149,726 pilgrims across 387 flight groups have arrived in Indonesia. A further 130 flight groups remain in Madinah and will gradually return home. “Makkah is now clear of our pilgrims, meaning only about 29 percent of all our pilgrims remain in Madinah. And Alhamdulillah, they will return gradually,” said Gus Irfan. Hajj officers will also return home in stages, with the final departure scheduled for 4 July 2026.