SRINAGAR: The final flight of Hajj 2024, carrying 317 pilgrims, landed at Srinagar International Airport on Friday morning, marking the conclusion of this year’s pilgrimage for Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
The journey, however, has been marred by tragedy, as 11 pilgrims from the region succumbed to heat stroke during the holy pilgrimage.
Dr Shujhat Qureshi, Executive Officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Committee, said that the last batch of pilgrims arrived on Friday morning.
He added that two pilgrims would be staying back as one pilgrim is still in hospital undergoing treatment, accompanied by her husband.
“This year, a total of 7,008 pilgrims from JK embarked on the holy journey. Sadly, 11 of them passed away due to heat stroke,” he said.
“The flight with 317 pilgrims landed this morning at Srinagar International Airport,” he added.
Officials had earlier said that the last flight was scheduled to arrive at Srinagar International Airport on Thursday but was cancelled and rescheduled for Friday morning.
Responding to a question about the arrangements, cited as ‘poor’ by JK pilgrims this year, Dr Qureshi said that facilities this year were better than last year, including accommodation within Markazia (within 400 meters of Masjid Nabvi SAW) in Madina tul Manawara and the quality of hotels.
However, he noted that the scorching heat on Arafat day and traffic jams during movements in the Mashair region were challenging for Hajj 2024.
“In Makkah, transport facilities were better than last year. In the Mashair region, all were accommodated within the traditional boundaries of Mina during their stay at Mina,” he added—(KNO)
