7 more Filipino Pilgrims Die in Hajj Pilgrimage
MANILA – The hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has claimed seven more Filipino lives.
The Philippine Consulate General said six Filipino pilgrims died of hypertension and heat stroke as temperatures soared to as high as 45 to 47-degrees Celsius, while one pilgrim died on the plane from Manila en route to Mecca.
The consulate earlier confirmed that a Filipina resident in Jeddah was also counted among 717 fatalities in a stampede on Thursday.
“It was just this afternoon na na-confirm na totoo yung balita. Nakakalungkot man sabihin pero totoo na may nasawi sa ating mga local pilgrim, hindi ito pilgrim based sa Philippines, galing siya dito,” said Consul General Imelda Panolong.
The victim’s personal information is being withheld at the request of the family.
“Nakausap na ng team galing sa Philippine Consulate, nag-offer na tayo ng assistance doon sa kapamilya nya,” said Panolong.
A pregnant Filipina in Mecca also suffered a forced abortion due to the extreme heat and is now recovering in a hospital.
The Philippine Consul General and Philippine Commission on Muslim Pilgrims urged Filipinos taking part in the pilgrimage to avoid staying under the direct heat of the sun to prevent heat stroke.
“Sumunod sa instruction ng mga Saudi security forces para maging maayos itong mga huling yugto ng hajj pilgrimage, and stick with their crew, wear their identification cards and always travel light ‘pag nasa areas na crowded, huwag sila magdadala ng mabibigat para makaiwas sa sakuna,” said Panolong.
The stampede also injured at least 863 pilgrims. – report from Charles Tabbu, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau