Hajj Stampede: Death Toll Now 274, 44 Still Missing
The number Nigerian pilgrims who lost their Hajj stampede in September has risen to 274, while 44 still remain unaccounted for.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has blamed the Saudi Arabian Government for the commission’s inability to give accurate account of Nigerian casualties in the 2015 Hajj stampede.
Dr. Saleh Okenwa, the Commissioner Planning, Research Statistic Information and Library Service, of the commission, stated this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.
Okenwa expressed the determination of the commission to continue to work with relevant stakeholders to account for the remaining pilgrims that died in the stampede.
He, however, confirmed the death of 274 Nigerian pilgrims, 44 still missing, while two were still receiving treatment in a Saudi hospital.
He said: “The number of Nigerians confirmed dead in the stampede is 274, those injured and on admission in Jeddah are two, while 44 remain officially declared missing.
“This was a year that the Saudi Arabia Government did their best to ensure the success of Hajj exercise and safety of pilgrims, but Allah decreed that this will happen.”