Azouza: “Setting up of special commission to address missing Algerian pilgrims’ file

The Director General of the Hajj and Umrah Office Youcef Azouza said that the ad-hoc commission set up last Sunday, to address the burning file of pilgrims reported dead and missing within the ranks of Algerian pilgrims who performed this season’s hadj pilgrimage to the holy places of Islam in Saudi Arabia, will submit its final report to the relevant authorities in order to wrap up the missing pilgrims’ file in relation to the recent mass deadly stampede in Mina near Mecca

To this effect, Mr Azouza announced a rise in the number of victims of the Mina stampede to 43 Algerian fatalities while 6 other pilgrims are still being looked for

And for compensations for the benefit of the victims in the two incidents of the Mina crush and the ill-fated fall of a crane on the pilgrims in Mecca, Mr Youcef  Azouza said that a special commission set up by the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is conducting the necessary investigations diligently and Algeria is following with keen interest the developments of this matter.

 Referring to the assessment of the 2015  Hajj season , Mr Youcef Azouza pointed in a statement Monday to the national radio to the exclusion of all those tourist agencies that have proven faulty in the organization of this year’s pilgrimage  adding that the launch of the registrations at the travel agencies concerned entrusted with organizing the next Umrah or small pilgrimage will be launched in about 15 days from now at the latest.

Meanwhile, the number of Algerian Hadjis who perished from the recent mass stampede at Mina in Mecca (Saudi Arabia), has reached 43 dead, according to the latest report released Monday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Algiers.

The same source also reported four (04)Algerian  hadjis wounded  are still hospitalized, while six (06) others are still unaccounted for to this date.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensures that the lists of hadjis hospitalized or those who haven’t been heard from are available at the foreign ministry’s Crisis unit.

The crisis cell of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments, “continues to monitor the consequences of the disaster at Mina on our hadjis in permanent contact with the Consul General and members of the pilgrimage Mission, “noted the same source.

“The ministry calls for the serenity from all and sundry, with on focus the various media outlets in order not to increase the pain of the families, especially as the information provided to them by the ministry’s Crisis unit emanate from official and credible sources, adding that this cell is in regular contact with the families of the victims, especially with those whose parents have not been heard from and their next of kin were duly received at the foreign affairs Ministry.”

“While presenting condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to all injured, the cell recalls that it remains available to provide answers to the concerns of families affected by this tragedy,” the statement added.