Three Ghanaian pilgrims have been confirmed dead following this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

The deceased were reported to have died at separate locations while performing the Hajj.

Addressing the media after the arrival of the pilgrims, the Chairman of the Hajj Board, Sheikh I.C Quaye said, “One of the victims died while boarding the aircraft, the second person passed on after observing the rituals in Mecca while the third pilgrim died at a medical facility.”

Sheikh Quaye described their passing as natural adding that it was a blessing to the souls of the deceased. According to the principles and beliefs of Islam, if one dies while performing Hajj, the soul of the departed goes straight to heaven.

The deceased persons, who are yet to be identified have all been buried in Mecca as the Islamic practice demands.

In all, a total of 5,700 Ghanaian pillgims performed this year’s Hajj, Sheikh Quaye revealed. He described this year’s Hajj pilgrimage as one of the most successful. The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca?the most holy city for Muslims.

It is considered a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, at least once in their lifetime.

The pilgrimage has often recorded deaths sometimes due to stampede and other factors.

Mecca, particularly in the summer, has a brutal climate which strains the body due to high heat, and the fact that the rites of the pilgrimage require a great deal of movement with massive crowding, it takes a toll on older people.