The first batch of this year’s Haji Pilgrims, numbering 319 people on Sunday arrived safely on board Egypt Air flight 3163 at 0420 hours at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

The leader of the delegation, Alhaji Alhassan Azong, Minister of State at the Presidency in charge of Public Sector Reform, told the Ghana News Agency that this year’s Haji was very peaceful and successful.

He noted that the Pilgrimage was devoid of any stampede, adding that, it was the most outstanding in the annals of Haji history in Ghana.

He, however, observed that there were some short comings, which would be addressed in subsequent years.

Alhaji Azong said of the 5,480 Pilgrims from Ghana, four of them lost their lives due to natural causes, he further extended government's deepest condolences to the bereaved families.

He said the Pilgrims were given free Zamzam water on their arrival which was an improvement upon previous Hajis.

The minister said the next Haji flight would be arriving later in the day.