A Filipino pilgrim was among those who died in the stampede which took place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah made the confirmation on Friday.
“The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah has confirmed that one local Filipino pilgrim died in the stampede in Mecca,” Foreign Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a statement.
The DFA, however, refused to disclose the identity of the victim as per the family’s request.
At least 717 people were killed and another 863 were injured in the stampede which occured during the symbolic stoning of the devil at Mina, in the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca. The incident is considered the worst tragedy in 25 years at the annual hajj pilgrimage.
Hajj pilgrim Ethar El-Katatney, a journalist and blogger, said in a CNN report that people were trying to push their way in opposite directions — some headed to the site of the stoning, some coming back from their previous ritual.
The stampede came weeks after a massive construction crane crashed into Mecca’s Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia, leaving more than 100 killed.