Five Moroccan pilgrims have died in Mecca since the beginning of the 2024/1445 Hajj season, Morocco’s Consul General in Jeddah, Abdelillah Daddas told media on Wednesday.
The diplomat stated that three pilgrims died in their hotel rooms, adding that the cause of death appeared to be natural, as “they all suffered from chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure”.
Asked about their repatriation, Daddas said that Moroccan pilgrims who die during Hajj can be repatriated or buried in the holy city.
“Ninety-nine percent of families give us permission to bury their loved ones in Saudi Arabia”, he said.
“For the first time this year, the Moroccan Consulate General has opened an office in Mecca that operates 24 hours a day to assist Moroccan pilgrims”, he announced.
This agency assists in expediting administrative proceedings in terrible occurrences such as the death of a pilgrim.
The consulate general intends to establish a similar office in Medina for the upcoming Hajj season.
The Consul added that 738 officials, scholars, doctors and media experts, along with 520 escorts and supervisors, are striving to serve and monitor these pilgrims.
This year, 34,000 Moroccan pilgrims will perform the Hajj. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs oversees 22,500 pilgrims, while tourist agencies handle the remaining 11,500.