ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: At least 107 people were martyred while further 238 including 50 Pakistanis were injured when a crane fell on Hajj pilgrims in Makkah’s Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia on Friday evening.
The governor Makkah region Prince Khalid al-Faisal has set-up a committee to probe the unfortunate incident caused by strong wind and rains.
Pakistani Ambassador in Saudi Arabia Manzoor ul Haq visited three hospital Makkah on Saturday on the instruction of Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and inquired about the health of injured Pakistanis.
In a statement, the Saudi civil defence authority said that around 238 people were injured in the incident and they were currently being treated in the nearby hospitals.
Meanwhile talking to media, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf said that around 50 Pakistani pilgrims were injured and seven of them are in critical condition. He said that about 25 Pakistani pilgrims were discharged after having been provided with medical aid while rest are under treatment in various hospitals.
The minister said that we are in contact with the Saudi authorities, adding that Pakistani doctors are providing medical aid to the injured.
The crane was being used in the expansion work of the Grand Holy Mosque when it struck a circular area around Kaaba and nearby walkway.
List of Pakistani pilgrims injured in Makkah crane crash incident
(Courtesy: Radio Pakistan)
The Pakistani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Manzoor-ul-Haq has said that best medical facilities are being provided to the injured Pakistani pilgrims in Makkah.
In a statement from Saudi Arabia, he said that Pakistan Consulate in Jeddah can be reached at 00966126692371 with dialing of extension zero.
The sources said that an emergency call centre has also been setup at the ministry of religious affairs in Islamabad to provide information about Pakistani pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
The contact number in Pakistan is 042-111725425 while in Saudi Arabia it is 8001166622.
President, PM grieved over Makkah crane accident
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow on the demise of the pilgrims in Makkah crane collapse incident.
In their separate statements, they prayed for the departed souls and sympathized with the bereaved families.
The prime minister directed the Pakistani ambassador in Saudi Arabia to provide every possible help to the injured and also personally visit the patients in hospitals on his behalf. He also gave directions to provide every possible help to families of the deceased.
