The
Sokoto state government has announced that 9 of its pilgrims have so
far been confirmed dead in the stampede that occurred on Eid Day in
Mina, Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s civil defense directorate has
said not less than 717 people have died following a stampede in Mecca as
some African nationals have been blamed for the stampede that left
over 850 terribly injured.
Government
officials, led by the state Amirul Hajj and Leader of Delegation, His
Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, is said to working
round the clock to identify many of the pilgrims who suffered various
degrees of injuries and are receiving treatments in different hospitals
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“At this moment of grief and
sober reflection, the state government urges all citizens to remain calm
and intensify prayers as we await further confirmation from authorities
concerned.
“Further statement will be made as more information
become available.May God bless the souls of those who died and may His
healing be visited upon all the injured. May God console us all,” the
state said in a statement signed by Malam Imam Imam, Spokesman to
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
It is recalled that the Hajj
season has already been marred by an unfortunate crane accident in which
over 100 people were killed and dozens severely injured.
At
least six Nigerians were involved in the Saudi crane incident at the
Holy Mosque, Ka’aba, in Mecca on Friday, September 11. Ahmed Umar,
Nigeria’s consul-general to Saudi Arabia, said the dead pilgrims were
buried in a “specially designated cemetery’’ in Mecca.
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