By IndiaTomorrow.net,New Delhi, 26 Sep 2015: The latest update from India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the death toll of Indian Haj pilgrims in the Thursday incident has risen to 18. More than 700 Haj pilgrims were crushed to death during a deadly stampede in Mina on 24th Sep.
“Our officials on the ground in Makkah have been working continuously to ascertain information and reach out to family members of missing pilgrims. According to latest information, 18 Indians have died in the tragedy. Our mission is working with Saudi authorities and family members to confirm the identities of the deceased and expedite formalities for release of the mortal remains,” tweeted ministry’s spokesperson Vikas Swarup around 8 AM today (Saturday).
According to the Civil Defence of Saudi Arabia, 717 Haj pilgrims were killed during the stampede and 850 others were injured.
India President, Vice President, PM condole deaths at Haj stampede
President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders of the country on Thursday condoled the deaths in a horrific Haj stampede in Saudi Arabia.
“Deeply saddened by tragic incident at Mina on Thursday, during which a large number of Haj pilgrims lost their lives,” the president tweeted.
Hamid Ansari, in a message to Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Nayef, said: “We deeply mourn this tragedy and extend our heartfelt condolences to you and to the people of the Saudi Arabia. We express our solemn thoughts and pray in this hour of grief for the departed souls.”
PM Modi, in his message from the US, said: “Distressing news from Mecca. Pained at loss of lives due to the stampede. Condolences to families of the deceased and prayers with the injured.”
UN chief deeply saddened over Haj deaths
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that he was deeply saddened to learn of the death of more than 700 Haj pilgrims as a result of a stampede near Mina in Saudi Arabia.
“This tragic incident is all the more distressing as it took place on the first day of the Holy Eid Al-Adha marking the end of the annual Haj season,” Xinhua reported quoting a statement issued here by Ban’s spokesman on Thursday.
The secretary-general also extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his sympathies to all the governments concerned, the statement added.
2nd deadly incident in two weeks in Mecca
The Thursday stampede happened amid a rush of the stoning as part of Haj rituals on Thursday. Muslim pilgrims throw stones on a wall representing devil.
This was the second major incident involving massive casualties this month in Saudi Arabia.
On September 11, over 100 pilgrims were killed in a crane crash at Grand Mosque of Mecca.
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With inputs from IANS
