Pakistan's toll in Hajj pilgrimage stampede reaches 76
Xinhua, October 5, 2015 Adjust font size:
Pakistani officials said Monday that the death toll of its nationals from the stampede during the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia had reached 76.
The death toll from the Sept. 24 stampede in Mina has risen to 769 while 934 were wounded, according to Saudi officials.
The accident took place amid a rush of the stoning as part of Hajj rituals. Muslim pilgrims throw stones on a wall representing devil.
Presenting a report in the Senate about the tragedy at Mina in Saudi Arabia, Pakistani Minister of State for Religious Affairs Pir Aminul Hasnat said 47 Pakistani pilgrims were also injured.
He said 29 pilgrim victims had been confirmed by the Saudi authorities. Of them, 28 have been buried in the Saudi city of Mecca.
The minister said, according to the relatives and eyewitnesses, there are 47 other Pakistanis who died in the stampede.
He said seven Pakistani pilgrims are still under treatment in hospitals while 40 others were discharged after treatment.
The minister said there are still 60 Pakistani pilgrims who remain missing.
He said personnel of Pakistani Hajj Mission initially participated in rescue and relief activities but the access was denied after Saudi Army and law enforcing personnel reached the scene of the tragedy.
He expressed the hope that the Saudi government would share outcome of the ongoing investigations in the incident.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Monday released names and other details of those killed and injured during the stampede. Endi