NEW DELHI, 15 January 2006 — The government of India is trying to collect all information on Indian casualties in Thursday’s Haj crush and pass it on to the affected families at the earliest, Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed said yesterday.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives, the minister said: “The government has directed the Central Haj Committee to bear the expenses of any family wanting to bring the bodies of their loved ones from Mina.”
Official sources said the final figure of Indian pilgrims killed in the tragedy could vary marginally as a number of bodies were yet to be identified. Foreign Ministry officials said most families wanted the bodies buried in Makkah.
India has appreciated the “effective measures” taken by Saudi Arabia in handling the situation after the stampede.
In a condolence message sent to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque King Abdullah, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said: “We appreciate the timely and effective measures taken by the government of Saudi Arabia to bring the situation under control immediately and to provide relief to the affected region.
“We also deeply appreciate and value the care and attention paid by the government of Saudi Arabia for the safety and welfare of the pilgrims, including those from India.”
The stampede at Mina occurred when pilgrims were proceeding to perform the stoning of the devil ritual on the last day of the pilgrimage.
The president expressed his grief over the deaths of the pilgrims. Kalam said: “We share Your Majesty’s grief and sorrow on this tragic incident. On behalf of the government and the people of India, I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of those who list their lives or suffered injuries in this tragedy.” Officials of the Delhi Haj Committee said two special flights carrying 280 Haj pilgrims each from Jeddah will return here tomorrow.
Mohsin Ali, superintendent of the Delhi State Haj Committee, said: “Since many people are from Delhi, we will go to the airport to receive them. We pray to Allah for their safe return.”
Most relatives of the pilgrims seemed tense over the safe return of their dear ones. Salim Ahmed, whose parents were injured in the incident, said: “Though my family members are not returning Monday, I would welcome others at the airport. I want to meet others to get some news about my parents, who will be returning Feb. 8.”
Of the more than 3,000 pilgrims from Delhi, only two — Serajuddin, 65, and his wife Husna Bano — were injured in the crush. Said Mohammad Irshad Khan: “It will be a great relief for us to see our near and dear ones again.”
