Thirteen Ghanaian pilgrims performing this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabian city of Mecca have been confirmed dead.
Out of the 13, five lost their lives in the fatal stampede which killed over 700 people in Mecca and eight died of natural causes according to Ghana’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Said Sinare.
Speaking in an interview on Citi Eyewitness news, Thursday, Alhaji Sinare explained that apart from those who died from the stampede, the rest died in various clinics in Mecca or by natural means.
“Some died in the clinics and others died while they were asleep, that is what I meant by natural causes. That has nothing to do with the stampede…some are very old. That is why I want to advise our people back home that anytime they want to perform the hajj, then it is better to get an extra ticket for someone who is very young; in his thirties to take care of them because it’s not an easy exercise…” he said.
Asked if an autopsy was conducted to ascertain the cause of death of the 8, he said it is against the Islamic religion.
“…you know the Islamic religion; we don’t believe in that…when death comes we believe it is the will of Allah and we don’t go into details…” he said.
Alhaji Sinare also indicated that apart from the deaths recorded, 21 are still missing.
“We still have 21 still unaccounted for and we are doing a massive search inorder to find them…it is possible some of them are in the hospitals and clinics and so we are still searching…it is unfortunate the figures are rising day by day”he added.
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(Selorm) | 
(Nana Kwesi)