The Muslim community of Birgunj in Parsa district drowned in sorrow on the day of Bakr Eid when they heard the news about the stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, in which more than 700 hajj pilgrims, including five Nepalis, were killed.

One of the victims was Jakir Hussain of Birgunj-19. A former director general of Irrigation Department, Hussain was accompanied to hajj pilgrimage by his two sons, two daughters, his wife Samina Khatun, daughter in law Musalama Khatun and a grandson.

Hussain’s last rites were performed in Mecca on Thursday evening. His eldest son Alfat said that it was his father’s first pilgrimage to Mecaa. “It was his long cherished dream to visit Mecca,” he said.

Fourteen people from Birgunj-19 had left for Saudi Arabia to participate in the annual hajj pilgrimage this year.

Taj Mohamman Miya, chairperson of Central Hajj Committee, said at least five Nepalis have been reported dead in the stampede so far. He, however, claimed that two of them had died of natural causes in their hotel rooms.

Suleman Miya Thakurai, 65, his wife Ashma Khatun, 45, and their nephew Izhar Miya from Dharma Nagar of Bara district also died in the incident, said Kalawati Pasawan, former minister.

The entire Muslim community of Dharma Nagar have been saddened by the tragedy, Pasawan said.