The death toll of Indians in the Hajj stampede has risen to 101 even as 32 nationals remain missing after the last month’s tragedy. Sushma Swaraj, the Minister for external Affairs tweeted, confirming the death toll.
Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh was in Saudi Arabia for the official identification process of the missing Indians by the Saudi authorities, MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said on Thursday.
The minister sought the intervention of the Saudi Health Minister to find the identities of all the Indian pilgrims. He also conveyed that several missing cases were still pending with the Indian mission and it can only be resolved after the identification process is complete. Singh has been assured of all support and assistance by the Saudi minister.
— Vikas Swarup, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs
The Hajj stampede on September 24 came after two massive lines of pilgrims converged on each other from different directions at an intersection close to the five- storey Jamarat Bridge in Mina for the symbolic stoning of the devil.
It was the second major accident this year for Hajj pilgrims after a construction crane collapsed on September 11 at Mecca’s Grand Mosque, killing over 100 people, including 11 Indians.
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