The government of Mauritania has denied reports alleging that a Hajj flight carrying the country’s pilgrims crashed into the Red Sea.
Earlier, social media posts claimed that a “Mauritanian Hajj flight crashes into Red Sea: 210 pilgrims feared missing.” Some reports went further, stating that 220 pilgrims were aboard the Mauritania Airways plane at the time of the alleged crash. These reports were circulated alongside images that were later confirmed to be fabricated.
El Waly Taha, Director of Hajj at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, refuted the claims and confirmed that all Mauritanian pilgrims have safely arrived in the holy lands without incident.
Mauritania Airlines also issued a statement affirming that all pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia securely and without any issues. The airline further clarified that it operated three outbound flights for this year’s Hajj season, all of which were completed safely.