Surabaya Hajj Return: 5,684 Pilgrims Arrive, Two Die En Route

Two pilgrims from Malang, Hery Widianto and Wayah Rohani Suwan, died of illness while returning to Indonesia after the Hajj season; Widianto suffered a heart attack aboard the plane and Suwan died in a hospital. The return operation from Surabaya has brought back 5,684 pilgrims and staff, about 13 % of the 44,000 who departed from the Embarkasi Surabaya hub. Officials said the debarkation proceeds smoothly, with services coordinated between Indonesian authorities and Saudi health officials. Three other pilgrims – Mohammad Dzikri Muiz, Siti Mutmainah Asari and Matory Ahmad Jalil – remain in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. Around 38,316 participants are still awaiting repatriation according to the latest figures.