17 RI haj pilgrims die, 114 hospitalized<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A total of 17 Indonesian haj pilgrims have died
\nand some 114 have been hospitalized, an official stated on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
The spokesman for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Hasbu
\nMarzuki, said most of the deaths were the result of heart
\nattacks.<\/p>\n
\"They (the deceased) are mostly over 55 years of age and
\nalready had health problems. The rest of them died of respiratory
\ninfections,\" he told The Jakarta Post by telephone.<\/p>\n
Antara news agency reported on Monday that of the 17 pilgrims
\nwho died in Saudi Arabia, two were natives of North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
The news agency also said about 85 percent of the Indonesians
\nin Saudi hospitals came from North Sumatra, and were suffering
\nfrom ailments ranging from high blood pressure and diabetes to
\nulcers.<\/p>\n
Hasbu, however, said most of the patients complained of heart
\ntrouble and respiratory infections.<\/p>\n
Out of 114 Indonesians who have been hospitalized, 35 are
\nbeing treated in Medina and the rest in Mecca.<\/p>\n
\"In Medina, 24 people are being treated at the Indonesian Haj
\nMedical Center while the others are being treated in local
\nhospitals. In Mecca, 61 are being treated at the center and 18 in
\nlocal hospitals,\" Hasbu said.<\/p>\n
Extreme heat combined with fatigue are blamed for most of the
\nhealth problems, he said, noting that the haj involves a great
\ndeal of physical activity.<\/p>\n
\"The number of deaths usually peaks at the ritual in the
\nArafah desert,\" he said.<\/p>\n
About 205,000 Indonesians will travel to Saudi Arabia to
\nperform the haj. They have been divided into 487 groups and are
\nleaving from eight embarkation points.<\/p>\n
The cost of this year's pilgrimage has been set at between Rp
\n19 million (US$2,000) and Rp 23 million ($2,421), an increase
\nfrom last year's Rp 17.76 million. (hdn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/17-ri-haj-pilgrims-die-114-hospitalized-1447893297",
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