Five Ghanaians have been confirmed dead after last Thursday’s stampede in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
[contextly_sidebar id=”Q6pRbn5EXRIFvzCBvYBzIcbN7XXAWBEp”]Ghana’s Ambassador to that country, Alhaji Said Sinare, who confirmed the latest development to Citi News said eight more pilgrims had died, but were not related to the stampede.
“Some died in the clinics and others died while they were asleep, that is what I meant by natural causes. Some are very old. That is why I want to advise our people back home that anytime they want to perform the hajj, then it is better to get an extra ticket for someone who is very young to take care of them because it’s not an easy exercise. If you are not strong believe me, you will go down,” he added
The Ambassador also said 21 others could not be traced after a head count.
Over 700 pilgrims lost their lives in a stampeded when the pilgrims were going through a ritual known as ‘stoning the devil.’
The incident has been described as the deadliest to have occurred in the 25-year history of Hajj.
About 5,424 Ghanaians took part in this year’s pilgrimage.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana