26 Afghan pilgrims die in Saudi, 200 vanish

KABUL season in Saudi Arabia, officials said on Saturday.

Most of them died of heart diseases and old age illnesses, while four pilgrims were killed in a road accident in the holy land, deputy minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs Dai-ul-Haq Abid told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Those who died were aged between 45 and 65 years and 16 of them were women, he added.

Their bodies were buried in Saudi Arabia according to local funeral rites and in the presence of the other Afghan pilgrims.  

Last year, about 40 Afghan pilgrims died during the Haj season.

This year, a total of 30,000 Afghan pilgrims were sent to Mecca two days ago.

Those who disappeared in Saudi Arabia were from Samangan, Baghlan and Sar-i-Pul provinces — who stayed on for their businesses.

While, some of the married women joined their husbands in the country by taking advantage of the pilgrimage, he pointed out.

Abid also revealed 17 Afghans were detained for stealing goods and money.

myn/vp

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