Acehnese pilgrim dies on flight home from Hajj

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - An Acehnese pilgrim who was part of flight group (Kloter) 7 of the Aceh Embarkation has died on board an aircraft during the return journey from the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia to Indonesia. The deceased was identified as Aisyah Abdullah Nanggroe binti Abdullah Nanggroe (92), a resident of East Aceh Regency, according to the head of the Aceh Embarkation Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH), Arijal, in Banda Aceh on Monday. He explained that Kloter 7 departed from Madinah airport on Monday, 22 June 2026. The deceased passed away at approximately 10.20 WIB while on the flight back to Aceh. The body has been transported from Sultan Iskandar Muda (SIM) Airport to the Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital in Banda Aceh. With the passing of Aisyah Abdullah Nanggroe, the total number of Acehnese pilgrims who have died during this Hajj season, both in Makkah and Madinah, has risen to 16. Arijal stated that 15 pilgrims died in the Holy Land and one during the repatriation process. He expressed his condolences and prayed that the bereaved families would be granted fortitude, patience, and sincerity in accepting God’s decree. The repatriation process for Acehnese pilgrims through the Aceh Debarkation continues as scheduled from 15 to 30 June 2026. The PPIH is continuing to provide services and assistance to pilgrims until they return safely to their respective regions.