Hajj 2014: 10 Nigerian pilgrims die in Mecca

Ten Nigerians in Saudi Arabia to perform the Islamic hajj rites have been confirmed dead, the Coordinator of the National Hajj Commission in Mecca, Aliyu Tanko, said on Monday.

Mr. Tanko said at least 50,000 Nigerian pilgrims have so far arrived Mecca with virtually all them having performed the Umrah rites.

In a telephone chat in Mecca on Monday, Mr. Tanko said that the commission’s three clinics in Mecca and those set up by the various state pilgrims boards provide effective medical services to Nigerian pilgrims in Mecca.

He urged pilgrims to always seek medical advice before embarking on pilgrimage and warned them against exposing themselves to the harsh weather in the Holy Land.