The number of Pakistani fatalities in this year’s deadly stampede at Mina has risen to 104, according to fresh figures released by the religious affairs ministry on its website on Sunday.
At least 85 of the victims have been verified by the Saudi authorities, while 19 have been reported dead by their relatives. Of these, at least 75 people have been buried at the al Moasim graveyard.
The bodies of two ill-fated pilgrims, Yamoo Din and Taj Meena from the Korangi neighbourhood of Karachi, will be flown to Pakistan for their burial. Half a dozen bodies are still unburied, even though the Pakistan Consulate has issued no objection certificates for them. According to the ministry, another six pilgrims died of natural causes unrelated to the tragedy.
According to the data, at least 12 pilgrims are still unaccounted for. Of these, one pilgrim had gone for Hajj on the government quota, six through private tour operators and five were listed as Iqama holders.
More than 1,700 people died in the stampede during Hajj on September 24.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2015.
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