Cairo — At least 14 Egyptians died in a stampede in Saudi Arabia during Haj, Religious Endowments Minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa announced on Friday.
At least 717 pilgrims died and 863 were injured on Thursday as pilgrims either suffocated or were trampled in Mina, the tent city near Mecca, while performing the haj pilgrimage, the largest annual gathering for Muslims.
The 14 Egyptians were identified, adding that 31 were injured and that their names will only be announced once the medical committee confirms their information.
An official statement by the ministry of endowments said that all the necessary procedures will be taken for the dead to be either buried in Saudi Arabia or repatriated to Egypt.