Indian pilgrims have begun returning home, with the first flight having departed from Jeddah to Goa and Mangalore on Sunday carrying 234 pilgrims.

A consulate official told Arab News on Tuesday that Indian Haj Mission offices in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah are fully equipped to handle the situation and are working around the clock to ensure that the process runs smoothly.

He said the return phase of transporting the Haj pilgrims back includes an operation of 421 flights taking the passengers to 20 destinations in India. Air India and Saudia would fly the first group of Indian pilgrims. While Air India will transport 46,401 pilgrims, Saudia is to carry 74,937 pilgrims.

Arrangements have been made for transporting pilgrims from Makkah to Madinah by land. According to sources, around 59,230 pilgrims will be visiting the holy city of Madinah. Three pilgrims meanwhile have been reported missing and search efforts are being put in place to locate them.

A total of 95 pilgrims were reported dead and 923 pilgrims were hospitalized for medical care and observation.