Thais in hospital after haj shock

Two Thai nationals who went missing when a construction crane smashed into Mecca’s Grand Mosque on Friday evening have been admitted to a hospital after sustaining injuries, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

A Thai woman identified as Wanida Sadi, 48, from Bangkok’s Bang Khae district, was also killed in the accident. The Thai consulate-general in Jeddah is now arranging for Wanida to be buried in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, after a request from her family, the ministry said.

The Thai consulate-general staff visited the two injured Thai pilgrims, identified as Tuanya-imma na Nakhon, 47, from Narathiwat’s Yi-ngo district and Naphisa Duangdon, at the local hospital.

Meanwhile, Yi-ngo district chief officer Wichan Chaisetsumphan went to Ms Tuanya-imma’s house in Narathiwat yesterday to inform her relatives about her condition. Speaking to Ms Tuanya-imma’s sister Tuansubaida Kuma, and two other family members, Mr Wichan said Ms Tuanya-imma is safe and has been treated for injuries to her left leg and ankle.

Thai authorities in Saudi Arabia were asked to contact Apisak na Nakhon, Ms Tuanya-imma’s husband, and their daughter, who had travelled to Saudi Arabia to find Ms Tuanya-imma.

The head of the Office of Haj Affairs of Thailand, Arun Boonchom, consoled Wanida’s relatives, who are also in Mecca for the haj pilgrimage. Mr Arun said the dead victim’s relatives are safe and remain in good spirits.

On Saturday another two Thai citizens visiting the mosque — Maeyoh Daemo, 47, from Pattani and Isamael Zazu, 48, from Yala — were also admitted to hospital with injuries.

The crane collapsed on the Grand Mosque at roughly 5.20pm in Mecca (9.20pm Thai time), killing 107 people and injuring over 230 others ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage expected to begin on Sept 21.