Ill Umrah pilgrim brought back to Maldives

An individual who fell ill while performing Umrah has been brought back to Maldives on a Maldivian Airlines flight.

Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said on Tuesday that the pilgrim had been admitted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia after becoming ill. He said arrangements were being made with the family to return the individual to Maldives.

The pilgrim was flown back to the Maldives last Saturday. A doctor and a nurse were sent from Male' to accompany the patient on the flight as a precautionary measure and to provide medical assistance if required during the journey.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs said that 7,726 Maldivians travelled for Umrah during last month and this month, coinciding with the school holidays.

Three Maldivian pilgrims have died during this period. They include a 62-year-old man who travelled under Almanasik Hajj Umrah Group, and two others who went for Umrah under Safa Group and Hijaz Group.