Hajj mission refutes reports of pilgrim death

AMMAN — The Jordanian Hajj Mission (JHM) in Mecca denied the death of Zaid Al Mashaqbeh, 34, after websites circulated false news about the pilgrim’s death, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Friday.

The mission’s spokesman, Hussam Al Hayari, said that the JHM immediately set up a special committee to search for Mashaqbeh in all hospitals and security centres in Mecca.

Hayari pointed out that they had contacted Mashaqbeh, who denied suffering from an electrical shock, and said that he was in good health. The JHM also said they found Mahmoud Al Nawaysa the day after he was lost during the Arafat, break on Thursday night due to overcrowding.

Meanwhile, later on Monday, Petra reported the death of a female Jordanian pilgrim in Madina. Khairiyah Assaf, 79, died of natural causes and will be buried in Madina's Baqii Cemetery, Petra added.