Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — Some 45 pilgrims from various countries in Europe have died during the Haj and were buried in Makkah according to their wish, daily press reports said on Sunday quoting the Tuwafa Establishment for pilgrims from Turkey, Europe and America.

Chairman of the establishment, Tariq Ankawi said 27 of the dead pilgrims were from Turkey, three from Britain, two Russians, one each from France, the United States, Guyana and Kosovo and three each from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

He said the deaths took place during the period from the arrival of the pilgrims in Makkah until the first Tashriq day, which was Saturday, Sept. 2.

Ankawi said before their arrival in Makkah, the pilgrims had recommended to be buried in Makkah if they died during the Haj.

"They wanted to be buried in the holiest of places at the holiest of times which is the Haj," he said.

He said two of the dead pilgrims were buried in Al-Maala cemetery while all the others were buried in Al-Sharia.

Ankawi said all the deaths were natural except one, which happened as a result of a traffic accident.

He said the death certificates given to their families contained the name of the cemetery and the grave number so that his/her loved ones could visit them anytime.

Many pilgrims come to the Haj with the purpose of dying during the pilgrimage so that they would be buried in Makkah.