NUMBER OF RI HAJJ PILGRIM DEATHS RISES TO 199

Jeddah, Dec. 7 (ANTARA) - The number of Indonesian hajj pilgrims who passed away in Saudi Arabia during this year's hajj pilgrimage season rose to 199 on Monday.

Since Saturday ((Dec. 5), 12 more people had died, according to information from Indonesia's Integrated Hajj Communication System, here on Friday.

The latest deaths were Bambang A Sampurno (60) from Salatiga (Central Java), Mrs. Rukinah Mustofa (74) of Majalengka (West JavaO, Sidal Sangadullah from Cilacap (West Java), Yaman Nasution (74) from Kisaran (North Sumatra), Latif Astawi (70) from Sumedang (West Java), Mrs. Asmah A Majid (65) from Medan (North Sumatra), Abdul Mugni (74) from Temanggung (Central Java), Mrs. Mutmainah Toha (62) from Banyuwangi (East Java), Slamet Sudirman 68) of Banjarnegara (West Java), M. Nurhadi (80) from Kudus (Central Java), M. Noor (43) from Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan), and Salasa Wangelobi (71) from Ujungpandang (South Sulawesi).

Bambang AP and Mrs. Rukinahdied of respiratory problem, Latif, Mrs. Asmah, A Mugni, Mrs. Mutmainah, Yaman, Slamet, and Salasa died of hearth problem, M. Noor died of hepatitis, M Nurhadi died of anemia and Sidal died of kidney problem.

The total number of Indonesians who performed the hajj pilgrimage this year is 196,100. They were flown from 11 embarkation airports in the country in 475 groups since October 23.

The annual Islamic pilgrimage draws about three million Muslims each year.