Moroccan authorities say 20 of its pilgrims have died during this year’s Hajj activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs announced the death in a statement.
It stated that those deaths were “natural deaths”, noting that 15 per cent of Moroccan pilgrims this year were over 80 years old.
“There were no ‘unusual’ deaths among Moroccan pilgrims during the current Hajj season,” said the statement.
It added that the figure was similar to last year’s Hajj season.
Over the past 20 years, the annual number of deaths among Moroccan pilgrims has ranged between 30 and 45.
According to an estimate issued before the Hajj, 34,000 Moroccan pilgrims participated in the annual religious event.
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Meanwhile, the Moroccan Government had, on Friday, put the figures of the deaths during the Hajj at 17 Moroccan pilgrims.
An online publication, the `Morocco World News’ reported that the government “addressed the tragic deaths of 17 Moroccan pilgrims” during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
“In a press conference following a government council meeting today, government spokesman Mustapha Baitas, stated that he does not have specific information regarding the circumstances of the deaths.
Baitas provided a brief comment during his responses to journalists’ questions, indicating that other agencies will be responsible for presenting various details on the matter.
“The government spokesman’s reserved statement comes amidst angry outcry from Moroccan pilgrims who endured what they described as “catastrophic conditions” during the pilgrimage,” Morocco World News reported. (Xinhua & Morocco World News)
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