HYDERABAD: Four Haj pilgrims from Telangana, who went missing in Mina on Friday, have been traced. Of the four, two belong to Warangal district, one each from Hyderabad and Karimnagar. The Haj Committee officials could not provide the names of the pilgrims.
Special officer Haj Committee SA Shukoor told Express on Saturday, that all pilgrims are safe and are reaching Mecca. “Once they reach their respective accommodation centres, only then can we have clarity. By Sunday evening or Monday morning we can have the exact details,” he said.
The Haj committee officials said they spoke to Haj Mission in Jeddah and confirmed that there were no more causalities and injured persons from Telangana and AP.
“All pilgrims from Telugu states are safe. They have completed the pilgrimage,” Haj Committee official Shoukath Ali said.
Meanwhile, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Saturday afternoon: “Unfortunately, the number of Indian lives lost in Haj stampede has risen to 18. Some pilgrims are missing. We are trying to locate them.”
VHR Demands Rs 5 Lakh Ex Gratia to Kin
Congress veteran V Hanumantha Rao demanded the State to give Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to kin of two Haj pilgrims who died in stampede in Mina in Saudi Arabia. The Rajya Sabha Member visited the residence of deceased Jaanbibi Majeed in Chandranyangutta on Saturday and consoled the family. Later, addressing a press conference, he said he would write a letter to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj requesting her to facilitate the early return of families, who lost their kin during the stampede.
One Pilgrim Dies of Cardiac Arrest
Haj pilgrim Khairath Ali (74) of Sadasivapet from Medak district died of cardiac arrest while he was travelling in bus from Mina to Mecca after performing Haj rituals. He was with his wife Gori Begum(68) and she is safe, special officer of Haj Committee Prof SA Shukoor confirmed. This brings the toll of Telangana Haj pilgrims to three. While two died in stampede and the third one died a natural death.