Biman rejects claims of theft from Hajj pilgrims' luggage at Dhaka airport

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has rejected allegations that luggage belonging to Hajj pilgrims was cut open and valuables stolen after their arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The allegations gained traction on social media following a Facebook post by Meteorologist Mostofa Kamal Polash, a PhD researcher on meteorology and climate at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, who claimed that his father was among the passengers on Biman's special Hajj flight BG3104 from Jeddah to Dhaka.

In response to the claims, Biman launched an internal investigation and reviewed the handling of passengers' baggage. 

Following the investigation, however, Biman said it found no evidence of organised or systematic theft from passengers' luggage.

In a Facebook post today (3 June), Palash alleged that the luggage of around 150 Hajj pilgrims had been cut open and belongings removed after the flight arrived in Dhaka. He claimed some items were missing from his father's baggage as well.

Palash wrote that his family had avoided major financial losses because his father had not carried expensive items. He expressed concern that many returning pilgrims may have lost gifts and valuables purchased for family members. Addressing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he urged the government to ensure the safety of Hajj pilgrims' luggage upon their return to the country.

As the allegations gained traction online, Biman Bangladesh Airlines' Airport Services Division launched an investigation and later published a detailed report on its findings. 

According to the report, the airline reviewed the entire baggage-handling process for Flight BG3104, which arrived in Dhaka yesterday carrying 491 Hajj pilgrims from Jeddah. 

Biman stated that the aircraft landed at 2:52am and that the first bag was delivered to the baggage belt just three minutes later, at 2:55am. All 836 pieces of checked baggage were delivered to passengers within 59 minutes, with the final bag reaching the belt at 3:51am.

The report noted that the transportation of baggage from the aircraft hold to the baggage delivery area was carried out under the direct supervision of airport security personnel. Bags were transferred using containers, pallets and trolley dollies, while Aviation Security officials were present during the process of loading baggage onto the delivery belts.

As part of the investigation, Biman reviewed CCTV footage, recordings from body-worn cameras used by ground-handling staff, Lost and Found records and statements from relevant personnel. According to the airline, the footage showed that approximately 11 bags were already in a damaged condition when they were received from the aircraft. 

The airline said investigators found no evidence in the footage or records indicating that baggage had been deliberately cut open or that belongings had been stolen at Dhaka airport.

Biman also challenged the claim that 150 passengers were affected. According to ground-handling staff and official records, only five to six passengers verbally reported receiving bags that appeared torn or cut. The passengers were advised to file formal Property Irregularity Reports (PIRs) with the Lost and Found desk, but no written complaints were submitted, the report said.

The airline further noted that some of the damaged bags contained Zamzam water, shampoo, lotion and other liquid items. Under Saudi aviation security regulations, the carriage of certain liquids in checked baggage is restricted. If prohibited or improperly packed liquid items are detected during security screening, Saudi airport authorities may open or cut luggage to remove them.

Biman said this could explain why some bags appeared damaged before reaching Bangladesh.

The report also mentioned that one passenger verbally claimed a wallet was missing from his baggage. However, investigators found no evidence to support broader allegations of theft. The airline additionally reminded passengers that cash, wallets and other valuables are generally discouraged and, in some cases, prohibited in checked baggage under international aviation regulations.

In its conclusion, the report, signed by Shahriar Ahmad, general manager of airport services, stated that no evidence was found of systematic baggage tampering or theft involving passengers on Flight BG3104.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Dhaka airport authority said, "According to CCTV footage, signs of cuts or tampering were found on approximately 35 to 40 pieces of luggage while passengers were collecting their bags from the baggage belt.

"A review of the CCTV footage showed that no unlawful interference occurred with any luggage from the time it was unloaded from the ULD [Unit Load Device] until it reached the baggage belt. Therefore, it appears that these bags were loaded in Jeddah in an already cut or damaged condition."