Number of RI hajj pilgrim deaths rises to 172

Jeddah, NU Online
The number of Indonesian hajj pilgrims who passed away in Saudi Arabia during this year`s hajj pilgrimage season rose to 172 on Friday.

Since Wednesday ((Dec. 2), eleven more people had died, according to information from Indonesia`s Integrated Hajj Communication System, here on Friday.<>

The latest deaths were of Masudi Sumodirjo (71) from Kudus (Central Java), Choirudin Karta (60) from Kulon Progo (Yogyakarta),

Mrs. Tamariyah Karnoto (65) from Sidoarjo (East Java), M Amat Dini (69) from Magelang (Central Java), Sugijana Parmodisastro (64) from Grobogan (Central Java), Atmini Basori (64) from Purbalingga, Samsul Bahri (75) from Padang (West Sumatra), Djumingan (61) from Jember (East Java), Muhammad Sulki (68) from Balungkulon (East Java), Suwoto Makruf (72) from Semarang (Central Java), Abdul Karim (72) from Kendari (Southeast Sulawesi).

Masudi, Choirudin, Muhcozin, Mrs. Atmini died of hearth problem, Samsul Bahri, Jumingan, M Sulki, Abdul Karim and Sugijana died of respiratory problem, Suwoto died of asthma, and Mrs. Tamariyah died of uterus bleeding.

A total of 6,345 Indonesian hajj pilgrims left Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah for home. They were divided into 15 flights which proceeded to Solo (Central Java), Jakarta, Surabaya (East Java), Ujungpandang (South Sulawesi), Balikpapan (East Kalimantan), Batam (Riau), and Medan (North Sumatra).

Many flights had to be delayed due to congestions at the airport which has to serve 140 planes daily during the hajj pilgrimage season, from 60 planes normally.

The planes served flights to among other things Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and other Arab countries.

The total number of Indonesians who performed the hajj pilgrimage this year is 196,100. They were flown from 11 embarkation airports in the country in 475 groups since October 23.The annual Islamic pilgrimage draws about three million Muslims each year. (ant/dar)