Thai killed in Haj tragedy

A Thai woman was killed and two other Thai pilgrims are missing after the crane collapse at Mecca’s Grand Mosque on Friday night, according to the Office of Hajj Affairs of Thailand.

In its third statement on the tragedy, the office said three Thais had gone missing in the incident and checks with authorities and hospitals in Mecca found that one Thai pilgrim was killed.

She was identified as Wanida Sadi, 48, a resident of Bangkok’s Bang Khae district, who went on the Hajj pilgrimage with SW Pernika Pattani Limited Partnership.

According to earlier statements, two Thai Muslim pilgrims were injured in the accident.

The office said Thai authorities in Mecca would work with the victim’s family and Saudi authorities to decide on burial details and issuing a death certificate. It would also speed up efforts to look for the missing two, who were not identified.

The two injured, Maeyoh Daemo, 47, from Pattani, and Isamael Zazu, 48, from Yala, are being looked after by authorities.

Arun Boonchom, the office head, has paid them a visit and conveyed get-wellsoon messages from the Chularatchamontri.

Krisayapong Siri, director-general of the Religious Affairs Department, said Thai officials cannot identify the two missing pilgrims but efforts are under way to locate them. A total of 107 people were killed and more than 200 others injured when the construction crane toppled over during a violent rainstorm in Mecca, crashing onto large crowds gathered at the Grand Mosque, known as the Masjid al-Haram.