Saudi Stampede: Death toll of Nigerians rises to 168, 144 still missing

Saudi Arabia’s king has rejected suggestions his country should give up its role as organiser of the Hajj pilgrimage, following last month’s deadly stampede.

More than 769 pilgrims from across the world were confirmed dead and 1,000 injured during the stampede on one of the roads leading to the Jamarat Complex (stone throwing site) in Mina.

But numbers from foreign governments show that the death toll has overtaken the number of deaths in the worst previous incident, which took place in 1990.

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He said those killed in the stampede were also found out to be buried in Saudi Arabia.

Health authorities in the kingdom previously said civil defence officials would be offering any new casualty figures, though no new toll has been released by authorities since September 26.

The stampede killed at least 1,480 pilgrims, according to official statements from nations whose citizens died, including at least 464 Iranians and 177 Egyptians. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry on Monday said the death toll among Egyptians has climbed to 181, with 53 still missing.