Fifth Malaysian Victim Killed In Makkah Crane Tragedy Identified

SEPANG, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- The number of fatalities among Malaysian pilgrims in the Makkah crane tragedy increased to five today when family members identified the body of Zainun Taha, 69, from Ampang, at the Muassim Hospital mortuary.

This was confirmed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom at a media conference at the KL International Airport before leaving to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

"This brings to five the number of Malaysian pilgrims killed in the tragedy, with two others still missing," he added.

Yesterday, Jamil Khir said one of the missing Malaysian Haj pilgrims in the aftermath of the Makkah crane collapse tragedy, Abdul Muluk Ishak, 71, from Pantai Remis, Perak, was alive and well, but four were confirmed dead, while three others were unaccounted for.

He said besides Rusiah Suar, 56, from Sungkai, Perak, who was confirmed as the first Malaysian Haj pilgrim killed in the tragedy, three more of the missing had also been confirmed dead, all from Malaysia's east coast state Kelantan.

They were Siti Nurolshlizan Zolkifli, 37, from Tanah Merah; Rohana Ismail, 54, from Kuala Krai and Munah Jusoh, 73, from Cherang Ruku.

The Malaysian pilgrims still missing are Abdul Habib Lahman, 68, from Sik, Kedah, and Shahidan Saad, 52, from Kodiang, Kedah.

Jamil Khir, who is leaving for the holy land with Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim are leaving for the holy land to help locate the missing pilgrims and provide necessary assistance to the injured, said the Malaysian pilgrims killed in the tragedy would be buried at the Ma'ala cemetery in Makkah.

"We are very sad and sympathise with the families of the pilgrims who were killed in the tragedy and advise them to be patient and strong in facing this difficult time," he added.

On the 10 Malaysia haj pilgrims who were injured in the tragedy, he said, they were confirmed to be fit to perform the wuquf in Arafah, which falls on Sept 23.

-- BERNAMA 

Bernama online 14 September,2015