Karawang, W Java (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo said here on Sunday that he monitored the handling of the Indonesian hajj victims of the recent stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

"Until now I have kept monitoring it through the religious affairs minister that we have sent as the chief of the Indonesian pilgrims there," he said.

"Last night I was told 14 of our hajj pilgrims died in the incident but later in the morning the number rose to 19. So, I continued monitoring its development and I will tell if there is any new development," he said.

The President said with regard to the pilgrims that are still unaccounted for the pilgrimage team would continue seeking them and until now they still collected the data.

"We will see whether they did not return or returned not to the maktab (office) but to their hotels. So, it is still unconfirmed. All data must be cross-checked to assure their accuracy," he said.

He said the Indonesian government would not as yet file a protest with regard to the incident pending the conclusion of the investigation by the Saudi government as priority is given to assure the whereabouts of the pilgrims that are still unaccounted for and their safety.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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