Hajj stampede: Nigeria’s death toll rises to 99

The death toll of Nigerians from the September 24 stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia during the just concluded hajj rites have risen from 64 to 99.

The number of those that sustained injuries is 39 while 219 others are still missing.

A competent source at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) who pleaded anonymity confirmed the figures to Daily Trust yesterday in Makkah.

He also said the commission was aware of apprehension that those declared missing may have died but it cannot be concluded until evidences were presented to that effect.

According to the official 75 among the 99 deaths were from the state pilgrim welfare board, agencies and commissions, while the remaining 24 were from the tour operators.

Also those injured from the states were 37 and two from the tour operators.

The number of the missing stood at 196 among them 102 males and 94 females from the states while among the 23 making up 11 males and 12 females are from the tour operators.

The official however said that the figures kept changing and being updated due to the reports received from the field officials.

Chairman of the commission, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Mohammed in an earlier interview on the development said the commission cannot declare those missing as dead until the committee put in place to confirm the status of all victims of the stampede has confirmed as such.