Hajj 2017: Death Toll Rises To 14

…As airlift of pilgrims to Nigeria begins Thursday

By Ishola Balogun and Kazeem Ategbeshe, Saudi Arabia 
 

The number of Nigerian pilgrims who died during this year’s hajj has risen to 14, the National Hajj commission of Nigeria, NAHCON has said.

The commission also disclosed that one of its staff was among the victims. The staff, a top official of the commission was said to have died after a brief illness.

The Commissioner in Charge of Health at the Commission, Dr. Ibrahim Kana who stated this at the media briefing said about 18,000 sick Nigerian pilgrims were treated so far by the NAHCON medical team, adding that over 6,000 of them were treated in the various 25 clinics established at Muna and Arafat in the last four days.

“Total mortality at at September 4, is 14, while, seven were pre-Arafat with two pilgrims from Kaduna and one each from Yobe, Kogi; Kebbi; Katsina and the FCT; seven were post-Arafat, with two pilgrims from Kano (one international); and one each from Osun, FCT, Zamfara, Katsina and one NAHCON legal adviser,” Mr. Kana said.

The head of the medical team also said among the post-Arafat deaths, two occurred in Mina.

He said Muna/Arafat outing in this year’s hajj “was welcomed by scorching heat with temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius, thereby causing a lot of hardship on Nigerians and pilgrims in general.

“That resulted in early exhaustion, dehydration and even some developing heat stroke.”

He said the Nigerian medical team was on hand to offer medical and emergency ambulance services to the pilgrims.

“This led to reduction of suffering and prompt evacuation and referral to nearby hospitals in Arafat, Muzdalifa and Muna.

“Several cardiac resuscitation measures were conducted which saved some lives.

“We are also grateful that no outbreak of any disease was recorded in the Nigerian tents,” he said.

Meanwhile arrangements for the airlifting of Pilgrims have began.

The Chairman National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Barrister Abdullah Muhammad Mukhtar who addressed journalists yesterday with some of his Commissioners disclosed that preparations for the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims back home would commence on September 7 and expected to be concluded on or before October 5, barring all unavoidable hiccups.

Explaining further on the return journey, NAHCON Commissioner Operations, Alhaji Abdullah Saleh Modibbo said all the three air carriers have been notified of their flights schedules.

According to the arrangements, the Saudi Airline, FLYNAS, will operate from the Madina airport and will commence and conclude its airlifting between September 7 and October 2; Med-View between 10thand 25th of September; while Max Air between September 9 and October 5.

Alhaji Modibbo said the Commission had done everything humanly possible to ensure a hitch free exercise.

He commended the role of journalists on information dissemination, inquiries and enlightenment on the concluded Hajj rites, urging them not to relent during the last lap of the exercise which has already commenced.