Bodies of two missing Haj pilgrims identified

Confirmed dead: Shahidan (left) and Abdul Habib were killed in Mecca

MECCA: Two Malaysian Haj pilgrims who went missing after the crane collapse tragedy have been confirmed dead, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

The bodies of Shahidan Saad, 52, and Abdul Habib Lahman, 68, both from Kedah, were identified by family members at the Muaissem mortuary in Mina.

He said Tabung Haji was informed of the discovery of the two bodies by Saudi authorities at 10pm Saudi time on Sunday (3am Malaysian time).

Shahidan’s body was identified by his brothers and Abdul Habib by his son.

This brings to seven the number of Malaysian Haj pilgrims killed in the tragedy.

The five others are Rusiah Suar, 56, Siti Nurolshlizan Zolkifli, 37, Rohana Ismail, 54, Munah Jusoh, 73, and Zainun Taha, 69.

The tragedy occurred at 5pm on Sept 11 when a crane collapsed on the Grand Mosque. It claimed more than 100 lives and injured hundreds.

In Kedah, the family members of the two have accepted the sad news in calm mood.

Shahidan’s sister Nazimah said the family has accepted it as God’s will as from the millions of Haj pilgrims, her brother was among those chosen to blow his last breath there.

Abdul Habib’s daughter Hasnah said her brother Fadzil had identified their father’s body through his name tag and a few personal items.

“I was told his body was found under heaps of rocks.

“I was informed that he had helped others in his last seconds without thinking of his own safety,” she said.