Toll reaches 11 as nine more Indians die in Mecca mosque accident

By NewsGram Staff Writer

New Delhi: In the crane crash accident at the Grand Mosque in Mecca in Saudi Arabia, nine more Indian Haj pilgrims have died, taking the toll to 11 so far, the external affairs ministry said on Sunday.

Vikas Swarup, ministry spokesperson tweeted – "after opening of mortuary on Sunday evening, officials working with relatives have confirmed that nine more Indians have unfortunately died" in the accident.

He said the Indian mission in Jeddah was extending all possible assistance to the families of the 11 deceased pilgrims to complete the formalities in Mecca.

Indian officials in Mecca were continuing to provide assistance to the 19 injured Indian pilgrims, he added.

The ministry released a list of nine dead pilgrims — Mohd Hanif, Tabassum, Hassan Kharaj, Zafar Sheikh, Zakira Begum, Mohd Abdul Khadar, Fatima Begum, Shameem Bano, Khader Bee.

In Hyderabad, Telangana State Haj Committee's special officer S.A. Shukoor told IANS that a couple, namely Abdul Khader (38) and his wife Fatima Begum (32), hailing from Krishna district in coastal Andhra Pradesh had died. They were among the nine Indian pilgrims who were identified in the mortuary.

The number of dead in the crane crash has gone up to 111 so far, while 331 people are injured.

The ministry statement revealed that the Indian mission has published its 24/7 helpline — 00966125458000, 00966125496000 — and toll free number 8002477786 for pilgrims within Saudi Arabia.

(With inputs from IANS)