The third group of Maldivian pilgrims travelling for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage has departed for Saudi Arabia.

According to the Maldivian Hajj Mission, a total of 268 pilgrims departed on a Saudia flight on Sunday evening and are expected to arrive in Jeddah at 8:45 p.m. local time.

Authorities stated that a total of 498 Maldivian pilgrims have now arrived in Makkah for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. Earlier, the first and second groups of pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia on flights operated by Saudia and Maldivian.

The Maldives Hajj Corporation and the Maldivian Hajj Mission stated that arrangements are continuing to facilitate the stay and travel of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj period.

As in previous years, Maldivian pilgrims are travelling under the Makkah Route Initiative, which allows pilgrims to complete immigration procedures before departing from the Maldives to ease travel arrangements upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. The remaining group of Maldivian pilgrims scheduled for Hajj this year is set to depart on May 19.