Tunis: The number of deaths among Tunisian pilgrims has been up to 49, Minister of Religious Affairs Ibrahim Chaibi said on Friday, acknowledging the possibility of negligence in the supervision of pilgrims.
He added in a statement upon the arrival of the first return flight 44 pilgrims who have died arrived at the Holy Places on tourist visas. He underlined, in this regard, that the number of deaths among Tunisian pilgrims is likely to increase.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Tunisia in Jeddah announced last Tuesday that 23 Tunisian pilgrims had died during the Hajj 2024 rites.
The number of dead pilgrims under the lottery system stands at 5, the minister said. A Tunisian pilgrim is in a critical condition.
“Negligence in the supervision of pilgrims could explain this,” he indicated. An assessment will take place at the level of the ministry to determine responsibilities, he added.
With regard to the criticism levelled at companions, the minister said “it is possible there was negligence.”
Th
e ministry, he said, gave instructions not to let pilgrims alone, even if they get lost with them. Nevertheless, inefficiencies.were reported because of the crush.”
Chaibi further indicated that most of the deaths were caused by sunburn due to the very high temperatures which reached 51°C in the shade, recalling that the majority of pilgrims are elderly and some suffer from chronic illnesses.
.The first return flight on Friday carried 226 pilgrims. The last return flight is scheduled for July 9.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse