MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia: Tabung Haji (TH) is intensifying efforts to locate eight Malaysian pilgrims who are still unaccounted for following the collapse of a crane on the Grand Mosque here on Friday.
The tragedy had so far claimed over 100 lives and injuring hundreds, including 10 Malaysians.
In a statement yesterday, TH said the figure of the missing individuals was obtained after room-to-room inspections were carried out in all nine buildings housing Malaysian pilgrims.
Those reported missing are Abdul Muluk Ishak, 71, from Pantai Remis, Perak, and Rusiah Suar, 56, (Gunung Besout 2, Sungkai, Perak), Siti Nurolshlizan Zolkifli, 37, (Tanah Merah, Kelantan), Shahidan Saad, 52, (Kodiang, Kedah), Rohana
Ismail, 54, (Kuala Krai, Kelantan), Abdul Habib Lahman ,68, (Sik, Kedah), Zainun Taha, 69, (Ampang, Selangor) and Munah Jusoh, 73, (Cherang Ruku, Kelantan).
On Friday, around 4.30pm local time, a crane collapsed in the Grand Mosque here moments after Asar prayer. It is reported that the incident occurred during a downpour.
A Bernama journalist covering haj pilgrimage said it was the fourth time such heavy rains had occurred throughout last month.
“Today (Friday) was one of the heaviest – it rained for about half an hour,” said Mohd Shukri Ishak, who has been on the Holy Land since Aug 12.
The area around the Grand Mosque is currently undergoing expansion works.
Meanwhile, Malaysians scheduled to leave early today for Saudi Arabia for this year’s haj are undeterred by the crane collapse tragedy.
Several of the pilgrims met at Tabung Haji Complex in Kelana Jaya said the incident did not dampen their spirit to set foot on the Holy Land of the Muslims.
Mohd Salleh Yusof, 61, who hails from Kota Baharu, said the tragedy, while unexpected, had to be accepted because it was the will of God.
He said as he hoped to have the strength and health to undertake the pilgrimage, he also prayed that there would be no repeat of the accident.
Mohd Salleh, who is among 450 Malaysian pilgrims scheduled for the flight bound for Saudi Arabia today, is accompanied by his wife Ramlah M Shah, 62.
For her, she hoped the situation in Makkah would return to normal for the pilgrims out to perform the haj. She admitted of being a little afraid after having seen photographs of the tragedy sent to her by her children, who retrieved them from the Internet.
“There’s a bit of apprehension but I’m confident Allah will protect me and other pilgrims.”
Faridah Ahmad, 54, a cousin of Mohd Salleh who had come for the send-off, said she was confident TH would take care of the welfare and safety of all pilgrims.
Sarbani Saleh, 41, of Pasir Mas, Kelantan, who had come to drop his sister-in-law Suwaibatul Aslamiah, 50, said the latter did express any apprehension as she was travelling alone. Her husband was not on the list of those going for haj this year.
“She (Suwaibatul) started to cry upon seeing me. It is understandable because this is her first trip (to Makkah) and she is travelling alone. The news of the tragedy has not made it any easier.
“Nevertheless, I have advised her to be patient and told her all of us in the family would be praying for her well-being and safety throughout the pilgrimage,” Sarbani said.— Bernama