The Ghana Hajj Board says it’s premature to conclude that five Ghanaian Muslim pilgrims are missing from their base in Mecca.

There were reports that the Board could not confirm whether the missing Ghanaians, including a Hajj agent, were killed or injured in last Thursday’s stampede in Mina after it caused a headcount to be conducted.

Over 700 pilgrims are reported to have died in the stampede with over 800 people injured. The disaster is the worst that has occurred during the pilgrimage in over 25 years.

A total of 5,309 Ghanaian Muslims are in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia performing this year’s pilgrimage. In all, about two million Muslims from across the globe are performing the pilgrimage.

Speaking to Fiifi Banson on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.3 FM, the Deputy Director of Communications of the Board, Alhaji Aminu Lamptey stated that he cannot admit that five pilgrims are missing or might have been dead as no such conclusion has been arrived at.

He noted that some pilgrims love to explore other parts of the Holy Land when they come for Hajj, and it might be the case that some Ghanaians will leave their camp for such places.

“Some people love to sleep in places other than their camps. Some sleep in mosques for several days, while others lodge with their friends, and return to their base only when their time is up to leave for their respective countries.

The Saudi Authorities have a deadline for every pilgrim to leave the country after Hajj. Their security system is very tight in this regard. Whoever flouts this directive when arrested is dealt with severely, so let’s allow some time, later we can then know whether any of our Ghanaian pilgrims are missing or not”.

He added that the first trip of returnees from Hajj is expected in Ghana on the 8th of October.