13 January 2006 – Philippine Ambassador to Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Bahnarim A. Guinomla reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that no Filipinos were killed or injured in the stampede that occurred on 12 January 2006 in Mina during the ritual called the "stoning of the devil," which is at the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Ambassador Guinomla said that the report of the amir ul-haj, Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Mangudadatu of the Office of Muslim Affairs, and Dr. Ali Escaller, head of the Philippine medical team attending to the health of Filipino pilgrims, stated that no Filipinos were among those who died or were injured in the stampede.

The Ambassador, however, has instructed Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Officers from the Embassy as well as from the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, KSA, to remain at the Mina General Hospital to fully ascertain that no Filipinos were among the casualties.

Ambassador Guinomla stated that around 3,200 Filipino pilgrims who flew directly from the Philippines to Saudi Arabia participated in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage that began on 8 January and ended on 12 January.  This number does not include expatriate Filipino pilgrims who arrived in Makkah from foreign countries.

The Ambassador added that the Hajj has ended and the first batch of Filipino pilgrims will be returning to the Philippines on 15 January 2006.

Ambassador Guinomla assured the Department that the Embassy will continue monitoring the situation as the Hajj pilgrims begin returning home, and will report to the Department any new developments.

News reports have quoted Saudi officials stating that at least 345 Muslim pilgrims have died in a stampede during the stone-throwing ritual while hundreds of pilgrims have also been injured.  Most of the injured pilgrims were taken to the Mina General Hospital for treatment. END