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Pakistan confirms 7 nationals die in Saudi pilgrimage stampede

Xinhua, September 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

Pakistani officials Friday confirmed seven pilgrims have been killed in stampede during pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi officials said that over 700 people died while several hundreds were injured when stampede started during the stoning of the Satan.

Director General of the Pakistani Hajj mission in Saudi Arabia, Abu Akif said that seven Pakistanis have died while 316 Pakistani pilgrims are still missing. A total of 13 injured Pakistanis are getting treatment at an hospital in Mina city, he said.

Akif said Pakistan is in contact with the Saudi government to get information regarding the well-being of its nationals.

Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister, Sardar Yousaf, who is also in Saudi Arabia, told section of the Pakistan media by the phone that he is also in contact with the Saudi authorities.

Over 150,000 Pakistanis had gone for pilgrimage this year.

Saudi officials said over 20 million people performed Hajj this year.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed condolences over the tragic incident and directed concerned ministries to remain in contact with the Saudi authorities for the well-being of Pakistani pilgrims. Pakistani political leaders also sent condolence messages to the bereaved families. Endi