Seven women were among 18 Afghan pilgrims who died during the performance of this year’s hajj in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs (MoHR) said on Tuesday.

MoHR’s spokesman Naseruddin Darez told Pajhwok Afghan News the Afghan pilgrims died of natural causes and as a result of traffic accidents.

He said some people introduced by government institutions could not use the opportunity and they should be re-introduced next year by the relevant administration in order to honor the Hajj rules.

Nearly three people from 160 countries participated in this year’s hajj pilgrimage with 10 percent of them Saudi pilgrims.

From Afghanistan, 29,699 people performed the annual ritual and their journey back home from Saudi Arabia began on August 4, process still ongoing.