Mina stampede: 3 Bangladeshis identified from 650 photos released by Saudi authorities

Bangladesh has identified three of its nationals from the 650 photographs released by the Saudi authorities of Hajj pilgrims killed in the Mina stampede.

Members of Saudi Red Crescent tend to pilgrims who were victims of a crush caused by large numbers of people pushing at Mina in this handout picture published on Facebook account of the Saudi Red Crescent Sep 24, 2015. Reuters Members of Saudi Red Crescent tend to pilgrims who were victims of a crush caused by large numbers of people pushing at Mina in this handout picture published on Facebook account of the Saudi Red Crescent Sep 24, 2015. Reuters

Confusion over victim’s identity

Besides, the foreign ministry said, the family member of another pilgrim confirmed her relative’s death in the Sep 24 mishap, though her photo was not among those released.

 

In a statement, the foreign ministry on Sunday also said that the number of missing Bangladeshi pilgrims was “yet to be ascertained”.

 

The Mina stampede killed 769 and left 934 others injured.

The Bangladesh mission in Jeddah has been trying to find out whether any Bangladeshis were there among the victims.

 

The Saudi authorities started releasing photos of the dead on Saturday.

 

So far, photos of 650 victims have been made public.

 

Among them, Md Shahidul Islam from Khulna and Aminur Rahman from Savar, Dhaka, had been confirmed as Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims.

 

Another body has been identified as that of a Bangladeshi national but his identity could not be confirmed, the foreign ministry said.

 

Firoza Khanam’s death has been confirmed by her family, though her photo was not among those released so far by the hospitals.

 

The Saudi authorities are expected to publish the photographs of the rest of the victims on Sunday or Monday.

 

The Bangladesh Hajj Mission in Makkah has displayed photographs of “probable” Bangladeshi victims for identification by Hajj agents, relatives and acquaintances.

 

Hajjis, their companions and relatives, Hajj guides and agents are requested to report missing Hajjis to 00966(0)537375859 and 00966(0)509360082.

 

Medical teams are working at various hospitals in Makkah and gathering information about the missing pilgrims, the foreign ministry said.