Hajj disaster: Ondo confirms three pilgrims dead, seven missing

‎The Ondo State Government has confirmed that three pilgrims from the state died in the stampede that occurred in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, who made the disclosure on Tuesday in Akure, also noted that seven of the state’s pilgrims were still unaccounted for.

Over 700 pilgrims from different parts of the world died in the stampede that occurred last week during the pilgrimage in Mecca.

‎Mr. Akinmade said the state government was unhappy because many other Nigerians across the country also lost their lives in the event.

“Of the 312 members of the state’s contingent to the 2015 Hajj, three have been confirmed dead in the unfortunate accident in Saudi Arabia,” he confirmed.

He said the state government was saddened by the unfortunate incident, and expressed sympathies with affected families across the country.

“While we pray for the safety of those still missing, we commiserate with the Muslim Ummah in Ondo State and Nigeria at large. We pray that the deceased find rest with their maker‎,” Mr. Akinmade added.