False Reports of Mauritania Plane Crash Killing 200 Pilgrims Denied by Authorities

Nouakchott – Widespread panic erupted on social media after false reports claimed that a Mauritanian aircraft carrying over 200 Hajj pilgrims had crashed into the sea, resulting in mass casualties. However, the Mauritanian government has firmly denied the claims, labeling them as baseless and untrue.
The misinformation spread rapidly online, with posts alleging that a plane from the African nation of Mauritania had crashed into the sea near the Red Sea coast, leading to the reported deaths of at least 210 pilgrims.
In response, the Mauritanian government issued an official statement dismissing the reports as fake news. The Director of Hajj Affairs at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Al-Wali Taha, confirmed that all Mauritanian pilgrims were safe and had arrived in the holy land without incident.
Mauritania Airlines also issued a statement, affirming that all outbound Hajj flights had landed safely in Saudi Arabia. The airline clarified that none of its scheduled Hajj flights had experienced any technical difficulties or accidents.
The airline further noted that it operated three outbound flights for the current Hajj season, all of which completed their journeys safely.
Authorities have urged the public to verify news from official sources and avoid spreading unconfirmed or misleading information online.