JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Three Indonesians pilgrims have lost their lives after a stampede in Mina on Thursday (Sep. 24) during the annual haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The death of Indonesian pilgrims has been confirmed by Indonesian deputy ambassador for Saudi Arabia Sunarko. Two dead victims are identified as Hamid Atuwi, an Indonesian pilgrim from Surabaya (East Java), and Saiyah, another Indonesian pilgrim from Batam, Riau Islands.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has delivered his personal condolences to the families of the victims. The President, moreover, asked the improvement of the haj management.
The local authority, meanwhile, reportedly will conduct investigation into the tragedy that killing 717 pilgrims and injured 863 others. (haryantosuharman@yosefardi.com)