Saudi authorities confirm death of 60 Pakistanis in Mina, 90 still missing

Published October 4, 2015
Its the worst disaster to strike the annual Haj pilgrimage in 25 years, which killed around 800 people in stampede. —AFP/File
Its the worst disaster to strike the annual Haj pilgrimage in 25 years, which killed around 800 people in stampede. —AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: The number of Pakistani pilgrims killed in the stampede at Mina has risen to 60 while 49 are injured, the Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed on Sunday.

The ministry said that the Saudi authorities have confirmed the death of 60 Pakistanis in the Mina stampede, while 49 pilgrims are injured and under treatment.

It was the worst disaster to strike the annual Haj pilgrimage in 25 years, a private TV channel reported.

In a list published on its website, the ministry released the names and details of the 60 Pakistanis confirmed by Saudi authorities, officials and family members to have been killed in the stampede.

The list of 60 Pakistanis includes 26 pilgrims whose deaths have been officially verified by Saudi authorities, while the death of 34 others was reported by relatives and eyewitnesses.

Around 90 Pakistani nationals are still believed to be missing since the disaster.

Also read: 1,100 died during Haj, not just in Mina: S. Arabia

At least 769 pilgrims were killed last month in a stampede at Mina, outside Makkah where more than two million people were performing Haj.

It was reported that pilgrims had been flocking to Jamarat site to throw pebbles at grand Jamarat Aqaba when there was a sudden increase in number of pilgrims heading towards Jamarat facility.

Security men and Saudi Red Crescent Authority's personnel had rushed to the site to control the situation, and took immediate procedures to rescue and save the pilgrims.

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