Muslim pilgrims arrive to throw pebbles at pillars during the "Jamarat" ritual, the stoning of Satan, in Mina near the holy city of Mecca, on September 24, 2015. (Photo/Xinhua)
(ECNS) -- China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Monday that four Chinese pilgrims who traveled on their own for the annual hajj to Mecca were killed in the stampede on Sept. 24.
"The Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the Consulate General in Jeddah have made all-out efforts over these past days to verify information and deal with follow-up matters," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei at a regular press conference.
The ministry had got in touch with altogether over 14,500 members of the Chinese Pilgrimage Group up till 8 o'clock Monday morning and found them all safe and sound. "They will soon head home as they have completed the pilgrimage," the spokesman said.
The four Chinese pilgrims killed in the stampede were said to have traveled on their own.
"The Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia is checking on that and assisting with the management of follow-up matters. The Embassy will follow closely the development and properly deal with what is coming up," Hong added.
The total number of pilgrims killed in the stampede has risen to 769, according to Saudi authorities.
