By IANS,
Abuja : As many as 44 Nigerian pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia during the annual Haj pilgrimage, the National Haj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Thursday confirmed.
National Commissioner in-charge of Policy, Personnel Management and Finance at NAHCON Yusuf Ibrahim confirmed the deaths to reporters in Abuja.
“I can confirm to you that the number of deaths of Nigerian pilgrims as on today (Dec 1) is 44,” Xinhua quoted him as saying. But he did not reveal the deaths’ cause.
On the deadline of Dec 15 issued by the Saudi Arabian authorities for all pilgrims to be transported back to their respective countries, Ibrahim said NAHCON would beat the deadline.
The national commissioner said as of Thursday, the Commission had transported 69,693 pilgrims back home in 141 flight operations since the pilgrimage’s commencement Nov 11.