Bengaluru: Two pilgrims from Bengaluru are among hundreds who died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia after braving extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom. Officials gave this information on Thursday.
The deceased have been identified as Kausar Rukhsana (69) and Abdul Ansari (54), residents of RT Nagar and Fraser Town respectively, he said.
Due to the scorching heat, two pilgrims from Bengaluru, like many other citizens, died of dehydration and heatstroke.
S Sarfaraz Khan, executive officer of the Karnataka State Haj Committee, said, “The tragedy occurred when the pilgrims were reportedly taking part in the ritual of Rami al-Jamaraat (stoning of the devil) in the Mina Valley on the outskirts of Mecca. "
He cited customs and agreements with the Saudi Arabian government to ensure that the bodies of pilgrims who die during the pilgrimage are not returned to their places of origin.
"Therefore, the bodies of both Rukhsana and Ansari have been buried there by the concerned authorities and the death certificates will also be handed over to their spouses," Khan said.
According to him, both the victims were scheduled to return here on June 22 along with other pilgrims.
This year, the state government received around 13,500 applications, out of which more than 10,300 people performed the Haj pilgrimage.
The deceased have been identified as Kausar Rukhsana (69) and Abdul Ansari (54), residents of RT Nagar and Fraser Town respectively, he said.
Due to the scorching heat, two pilgrims from Bengaluru, like many other citizens, died of dehydration and heatstroke.
S Sarfaraz Khan, executive officer of the Karnataka State Haj Committee, said, “The tragedy occurred when the pilgrims were reportedly taking part in the ritual of Rami al-Jamaraat (stoning of the devil) in the Mina Valley on the outskirts of Mecca. "
He cited customs and agreements with the Saudi Arabian government to ensure that the bodies of pilgrims who die during the pilgrimage are not returned to their places of origin.
"Therefore, the bodies of both Rukhsana and Ansari have been buried there by the concerned authorities and the death certificates will also be handed over to their spouses," Khan said.
According to him, both the victims were scheduled to return here on June 22 along with other pilgrims.
This year, the state government received around 13,500 applications, out of which more than 10,300 people performed the Haj pilgrimage.
