Two other pilgrims from Bazarghat in Nampally here, Mohd.
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The couple staying in one of the buildings at Azizia near the Grand Mosque had gone for “tawaf” (circumambulation) of Kaaba on Friday when the huge crane fell at the mosque.
He said the Indian “mission is extending all possible assistance to the families of the 11 deceased pilgrims to complete formalities”.
He said that they were expected to return home in 15 days, but crane crash accident took place killing the couple who hails from Machilipatnam of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh. They were Abdul Khader (38) and his wife Fatima Begum (32).
Saudi authorities have ordered a probe into the incident.
“Working with relatives of missing persons, and Private Tour Operators our officials have unfortunately confirmed that an additional nine Indian pilgrims have died in the tragic accident, MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said tonight”.
Yesterday, two Indian women pilgrims who died were identified as Moniza Ahmed from West Bengal and Muameena Ismail from Kerala.
Mohammed Obaid Al Mazrouie, head of the UAE Haj Mission, on Saturday told Khaleej Times that only the preparatory Haj committee was present in Saudi Arabia when the tragedy struck. Only two were reported missing after the tragedy and all other pilgrims from both Telugu states are safe.
Saudi Arabia expects to receive this year millions of Muslims from different parts of the world who will go to the country to perform the annual pilgrimage ritual.
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Based on the request of the kin of the deceased Haj pilgrims, the State Government asked the Consulate General of India at Jeddah to conduct their funeral at Mecca. They include 2,963 from Telangana, 1,819 from Andhra Pradesh and 654 from Karnataka.
