Hajj Stampede: Nigerian pilgrims death toll rises to 74.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has revealed that more Nigerian pilgrims died in last week’s Hajj stampede, than previously reported.

The Chairman of the commission, Abdullahi Mohammed, said the number of the Nigerian pilgrims who died in the tragedy had risen to 74.

The commission initially announce that 54 Nigerians had lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.

“We can confirm that 75 persons is the latest figure, while 243 pilgrims are [still] missing,” he said in an interview with BBC Hausa Service

Fifty-four out of 74 pilgrims who died in the stampede were from states’ delegation, he said, while 20 were international pilgrims who used private tour agencies.

Sokoto State reportedly has the highest number of casualties.

The commissions Chairman said that it was not proper for the commission to declare those missing as dead or injured until there was confirmation about the status of all victims by the committee set up to do so.