PASIR PUTEH, Sept 13 — Munah Jusoh,73, the Malaysian haj pilgrim reported missing in the crane crash tragedy at the Grand Mosque (Masjidil Haram) in Makkah, was at the scene when it happened.

Her granddaughter, Rosnita Abdul Rashid,29, said she received the information from her grandfather, Che Muda Che Tahir, 76, whom she contacted in Makkah at noon today.

“My grandfather was told by my grandmother’s friend, (name unknown) who was also hurt in the tragedy, that she saw my grandmother at the scene of the crane crash.

“After the tragedy, she did not know where my grandmother and the others went to,” she told reporters during a visit by Kelantan Tabung Haji (TH) director Wahyudin Tamami to Munah’s house in Kampung Bukit Kechik, Cherang Ruku today.

Munah, who was making the pilgrimage to Makkah with her husband, was reported missing after a construction crane near the Grand Mosque crashed on Friday.

More than 100 pilgrims were killed in the tragedy which happened during a thunderstorm, while hundreds of pilgrims were hurt.

Ten Malaysian pilgrims were also hurt in the tragedy while eight others, including Munah, were reportedly missing but one of them was confirmed to have died by Tabung Haji today.

Rosnita said her grandfather did not join her grandmother and three others who went to perform Asar prayers at the Grand Mosque and stayed in the hotel.

Munah’s family members held special prayers (solat hajat) for her safety and also that of the other pilgrims.

Meanwhile, Wahyudin advised the families of the victims to be patient as TH is making efforts to trace the missing haj pilgrims.

He said TH would inform the families of victims immediately after receiving the latest information from TH in Makkah. — Bernama