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Nine more Indians killed in Mecca crane collapse

The government had earlier confirmed that Muniza Ahmed, from Asansol, and Muameena Ismail, from Kerala, died when a massive construction crane crashed through a part of the Grand Mosque in Mecca where pilgrims circumambulate the Kabbah, the holy central part of the shrine.

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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.

Out of the victims killed 11 were from India and among the 11 two women were from Hyderabad.

The officer said he spoke to the Indian consul general in Jeddah, who confirmed on Sunday that the couple died in the accident. The injured include three from Hyderabad.

Saudi authorities have ordered a probe into the incident. As many as 83 missing cases were registered with the Indian Mission. Ten persons out of 83 were still missing.

Those who have died have been identified as Mohammad Hanif, Tabassum, Hassan Kharaj, ZafarSheikh, Zakira Begum, Abdul Khadar, Fatima Begum, Shameem bano, and Khader Bee.

The Indian mission has published its 24/7 helpline – 00966125458000, 00966125496000 – and toll free number 8002477786 for pilgrims within Saudi Arabia, the ministry statement said.

Khaddar’s brother, M Rehman, told reporters that on September 6 his brother and his wife Fathima went to Mecca as Haj pilgrims.

Pilgrims from the UAE have started leaving for Saudi Arabia for Haj, which begins next week in Makkah.

A total of 5,436 pilgrims left from Hyderabad embarkation point through the Haj Committee.

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Prof S A Shukoor informed the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana Mohammed Mahmood Ali who informed Minister for IT and Minorities Welfare of Andhra Pradesh Palle Raghunath Reddy.

Couple on Haj pilgrimage killed in crane crash at Mecca mosque