Dogara condoles with Muslims over death of pilgrims in Mecca

Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has condoled with Muslims over the death of more than 700 pilgrims in a stampede in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

This is contained in a condolence message issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan.

The statement said that the speaker described the stampede as an unfortunate incident which had affected some Nigerians.

``I am deeply touched by the tragic incident in Mecca during the symbolic stoning of satan by pilgrims, which is the second such incident in this year's Hajj.

``My special condolence goes to families of Nigerian pilgrims, who lost their lives in the stampede and the Nigerian Muslim faithful at large,’’ he said.

He called on the Saudi authorities to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate deaths and take necessary measures to avert future occurrence.

``I also pray God to grant the families of the victims the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and quick recovery to the injured,`` he added. (NAN)