on Tuesday said the number of Nigerian pilgrims
killed during the Sept. 24 stampede in Mina, Saudi
Arabia, had risen to 168.
More than 769 pilgrims from across the world were
confirmed dead and 1,000 injured during the
stampede on one of the roads leading to the Jamarat
Complex (stone throwing site) in Mina.
Speaking to newsmen on the incident in Mecca, Uba
Mana, the Director, Public Affairs of the
commission, said the number of Nigerians who died
went up following ongoing analysis on the corpses
by the Saudi Government.
He said that the number of pilgrims earlier declared
missing had reduced from 165 to 144 due to the
discovery of additional bodies.
He said that seven out of the 42 pilgrims injured
during the stampede were still on admission in
Saudi hospitals.
On the ongoing airlift of pilgrims back to Nigeria,
Mana said 47,128 pilgrims were transported back to
their respective states in 123 flights. (NAN)
