11 Pakistanis, 11 Indians, two Brits among 111 dead

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, on Sunday visits pilgrims injured in Friday’s crane tragedy at a hospital in the holy city.


The death toll following Friday’s crane crash at Makkah’s Grand Mosque has gone up to 111, while those injured are 331, latest figures made available by the Ministry of Health to local media have revealed.

The Pakistani Consulate has confirmed the deaths of 11 of its nationals.

“We have been able to identify 11 bodies at the morgue in Mina,” Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, the Makkah-based director general of Haj in Pakistan, told Arab News on Sunday.

The Indian Haj mission, led by Consul General B.S. Mubarak, released a list of nine deaths. This is in addition to the two women who were reported dead on Saturday. This takes the total number of Indian casualties to 11.

“We were given access to the morgue in Mina on Sunday,” said Mubarak. “The Saudi authorities released 108 photos of those who died in the crash. We took the relatives of the missing pilgrims to the morgue and that is how we could identify nine of our victims.”

Three Indian pilgrims remain missing.

Two British pilgrims were also among the dead. “We have confirmation of two British nationals who died as a result of the crane crash,” Rashid Mogradia, CEO of the Council of British Hajjis (CBHUK), told Arab News from London.

“Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and with all those who have been affected by this tragic accident,” said Mogradia. “The CBHUK commends the efforts by the Saudi authorities and the British Consulate in Saudi Arabia who have been working hard to support those affected.”

Around 10,000 British pilgrims are currently in Makkah with another 10,000 set to arrive by the end of next week.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Khalid Al-Falih told SPA that a majority of the injured were discharged in the last 24 hours. “Of the 331 injured, only 140 are currently in hospitals. They are being treated for moderate to critical injuries,” he added.

On claims that lightning caused the accident, Mansour Atiyya Al-Mazroui, head of the Met Office, said the photos showing lightning and circulated on social media were doctored.

An official visits a South Indian injured in Friday's crane collapse at a hospital in Makkah on Sunday. (SPA)

An official visits a South Indian injured in Friday’s crane collapse at a hospital in Makkah on Sunday. (SPA)


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