MECCA, Sept 13 — The search for Malaysian pilgrims, who went missing in the crane collapse tragedy at the Grand Mosque, Mecca on Friday is ongoing, Malaysian Haj delegation chief, Datuk Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said.
He said Tabung Haji (TH) personnel were continuously trying to locate the missing pilgrims in the area around the Grand Mosque as well as at the medical treatment centres around Mecca.
“Efforts to locate and ascertain the number of pilgrims were also carried out at 10pm yesterday at all TH hostels in Mecca.
“This operation involved TH personnel and assisted by Sahabat TH members who conducted checks from room to room to ascertain the number of Malaysian pilgrims missing. At midnight (5am Malaysian time), eight pilgrims could not be traced yet,” he said, here, today.
Those still missing are Abdul Habib Lahman, 68 (from Sik, Kedah), Shahidan Saad, 52 (Kodiang, Kedah), Zainun Taha, 69 (Ampang, Selangor), Rohana Ismail, 54 (Kuala Krai, Kelantan), Munah Jusoh, 73 (Cherang Ruku, Kelantan), Siti Nurolshlizan Zolkifli, 37 (Tanah Merah, Kelantan), Abdul Muluk Ishak, 71 (Pantai Remis, Perak), and Rusiah Suar, 56 (Sungkai, Perak). The tragedy that occurred at the Grand Mosque, has claimed the lives of over 100 pilgrims and injuring hundreds of others, including 10 Malaysians.
Syed Saleh said five of the injured pilgrims had been allowed to return to their hostels.
He said the pilgrims who were allowed to return to the hostels were Faridah Mat Yacob, Rusiah Baba, Ahmad Muzafar Mamat@Adam, Mohd Sharif Meon and Noordin Wahab.
“Five of the injured pilgrims are still receiving treatment. One of them was admitted to King Abdul Aziz Hospital, one is being treated at King Faisal Hospital, one at An Nur Hospital and two at the TH treatment centre.
“All the pilgrims are in stable condition. The TH information centre in Mecca will also provide the latest updates to the families,” he said.
Pilgrims’ families in Malaysia can contact the 24-hour Tabung Haji hotline 03-6207 1919 for more information. — Bernama
