KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that five Nepali haj pilgrims died in Mecca of Saudi Arabia, including three in the deadly stampede on Thursday.

MoFA Deputy Spokesperson Deepak Adhikari told THT Online that two others, however, died due to other reasons during their pilgrimage to the holy Muslim city of Mecca.

MoFA issued a statement quoting Taj Mohammad Miya, the chairperson of the Central Haj Committee, confirming the deaths.

The stampede victims have been identified as Zakir Hussain of Parsa, Izhar Miya of Bara and Suleman Miya of Bara.

Likewise, Rafiq Miya (71) from Sunsari district passed away at his apartment while Berq Tulla from Banke died of diabetes, the statement quoted Miya as saying.

MoFA said Rafiq’s last rites would take place in Mecca itself and his body has already been handed over to the local government.

At least 717 pilgrims from across the world were killed in the worst haj tragedy for last 25 years.

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