PPIH: 3,101 Hajj Pilgrims from Palembang Embarkation Have Returned to Indonesia

Palembang - A total of 3,101 Hajj pilgrims from South Sumatra and Bangka Belitung provinces, organised under the Palembang Embarkation, have returned to Indonesia as of the arrival of the seventh flight group (kloter) on Thursday (11/6).

Head of Public Relations for the Palembang Embarkation Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH), Haris Alkawarizmi, stated on Saturday that the repatriated pilgrims consisted of 2,657 from South Sumatra and 444 from Bangka Belitung.

He explained that repatriation efforts over the past two days have focused on pilgrims from Bangka Belitung travelling in the seventh and eighth flight groups.

The seventh flight group arrived at Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang on Thursday at approximately 14:50 Western Indonesian Time. The pilgrims immediately proceeded with a domestic flight to Depati Amir Airport in Pangkalpinang on the same day.

Subsequently, the eighth flight group, also from Bangka Belitung, arrived in Palembang on Friday (12/6) at approximately 14:25 Western Indonesian Time and underwent a similar repatriation process. “These past two days, the seventh and eighth groups are from Babel. After arriving in Palembang, they immediately continued their journey to Pangkalpinang,” he clarified.

He confirmed that all PPIH Palembang Embarkation officers remain on standby to provide services to pilgrims arriving at the Palembang Hajj Dormitory. Coordination with district and city governments is also ongoing to ensure transport readiness for pilgrims travelling to their respective regions. “PPIH Embarkation officers will welcome them according to their respective duties. Coordination with district/city administrations is also carried out via the district/city Ministry of Religious Affairs offices regarding transport buses,” he said.

To date, eight pilgrims from the Palembang Embarkation have died while performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, with details indicating seven were from South Sumatra and one from Bangka Belitung.

Additionally, a number of pilgrims have been granted a tanazul policy, or early repatriation ahead of the regular flight group schedule, due to health reasons or to join their original flight groups. “There are several who were repatriated earlier due to joining their original flight groups and for health reasons,” Haris said.