The death toll of Ghanaian pilgrims who died from last month’s stampede in Mecca, has risen from 15 to 17, Ghana’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Sinare Said has confirmed to Citi News.
Six out of the total number died naturally while one other person was ran over by a car.
[contextly_sidebar id=”FCT1icASgUpd8XT6uf4tB7xLSy4px9G3″]17 other pilgrims, according to the Ambassador, are also missing.
For Muslims, the Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam.
The pilgrims normally converge on Mina, a town in the city to throw stones at pillars representing the devil.
This year’s stampede killed over 700 people in the Arabian country.
Hajj: Deadly incidents
2015: 107 people die after a crane collapses into the Grand Mosque
2006: 364 pilgrims die in a crush during the stone-throwing ritual
1997: 343 pilgrims killed and 1,500 injured in fire
1994: 270 killed in stampede
1990: 1,426 pilgrims killed in stampede inside tunnel leading to holy sites
1987: 400 people die as Saudi authorities confront pro-Iranian demonstration
Since 364 people were killed during the stoning ritual in 2006, Saudi authorities have been taking measures to improve transport and other infrastructure in the area in an attempt to prevent such incidents.
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah