Two Indians, one from Kerala and another from West Bengal, have died while 15 others have been injured in the tragic crane collapse at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Friday. India is keeping its fingers crossed as the death toll reached 107 and the injured count stood at 238 at a time when the city was preparing for the annual Muslim Haj pilgrimage.
“Regrettably we have been informed that two Indians have been killed in the unfortunate accident,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Saturday. “We have received reports that 15 Indians have been injured and are being assisted in various hospitals. These include 11 from the Haj Committee of India and four from Private Tour Operators,” he added.
Swarup said Indian officials from the Indian Consulate in Jeddah have been on the ground and have set up a 24X7 helpline to provide information and assistance. They have been monitoring the situation through the night. “Senior officers including our Consul General are on the ground in Mecca. Indian doctors are deployed in all Government hospitals and are ascertaining more information,” Swarup said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced compensation to the victims. “Our Government will give Rs10 lakh as financial assistance to the family of the deceased and Rs.1 lakh to each injured pilgrim,” Mamata said.
Among the injured are two from West Bengal. “They are fine and only needed basic first-aid. We are in constant touch with the authorities there,” said Mutalib Ali Sardar, executive officer of the West Bengal Haj Committee in Kolkata.
President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the loss of lives in the crane crash. “Heartfelt condolences to families of deceased due to crane crash in Mecca, prayers for speedy recovery of the injured,” President Mukherjee tweeted.
Vice-President Ansari expressed deep sadness over the accident and called for every effort to render all possible aid to the injured and the bereaved families.
Prime Minister Modi, in a tweet, said: “My thoughts & prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives in the crane crash in Mecca. I wish the injured a quick recovery.”
Congress president Sonia Gandhi also expressed shock and deep distress over the incident. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Sayeed too expressed grief over the deaths of the pilgrims.