Mecca Stampede: Eight Ghanaians dead

Eight Ghanaians have been confirmed dead in this year's Hajj in Saudi Arabian. The National Hajj Committee confirmed that three people died as a result of the stampede that claimed over 700 lives last week. Five other deaths are however not related to the stampede, Alhaji Rauf Tanko, Chairman of the Hajj committee said. He said the Committee has been searching for those who were injured in the stampede. Two are receiving treatment at the hospital while another person has been brought to the Ghana camp in Mecca. In relation to the stampede, at least 54 Nigerians are known to have died. It was the second disaster to strike in Mecca in a space of two weeks after a crane collapsed at the Grand Mosque killing 109 people. The stampede is the deadliest in 25 years. About 769 pilgrims died in the incident and more than 200 of the number are believed to be from Africa. The stampede appears to have been caused in Mina when pilgrims converged to take part in the Hajj's last major rite - throwing stone at pillars called Jamarat - where Satan is believed to have tempted the Prophet Abraham. Offering condolences to the relatives of the dead and injured, King Salman said "we have instructed concerned authorities to review the operations plan and to raise the level of organization and management to ensure that the guests of God perform their rituals in comfort and ease."