Claim: Several social media handles have claimed that aircraft carrying over 200 Mauritanian haji pilgrims crashed.
Background
Several social media handles including one by Osun-based journalist, Lateef Agboola have claimed that an aircraft carrying over 200 hajji pilgrims crashed.
He wrote “Mauritania Hajj pilgrims’ plane reportedly crashed on the shores of the Red Sea, on their way to Saudi Arabia for the holy pilgrimage in Makkah and Madina.
“It was learnt that no fewer than 210 Hajj pilgrims were martyred in a plane crash.”
It was claimed that the pilgrims were onboard Mauritanian Airlines.
Pilgrims from all parts of the world are currently being airlifted to Saudi Arabia to perform the last pillar of the Islamic faith and such news can send shocking wave across the globe.
Verification
Mauritania’s Director of Hajj at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, El Waly Taha, denied the claim, confirming that all Mauritanian pilgrims are safe and have arrived in the holy lands without incident.
Likewise, Mauritania Airlines confirmed that all pilgrims were transported safely and securely to Saudi Arabia, with no incidents reported on any of the scheduled flights.
The company clarified that it operated three outbound flights for this year’s Hajj season.
Verdict
The rumor circulating about a Mauritanian pilgrims’ plane crashing off the Red Sea coast is false.
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