Two Indian women Haj pilgrims were killed and 19 others injured when a massive construction crane crashed into Mecca's Grand Mosque leaving more than 100 people dead, officials said today.
"Regrettably we have been informed that 2 Indians have been killed in the unfortunate accident," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in New Delhi.
The deceased pilgrims have been identified as Moniza Ahmed from West Bengal and Muameena Ismail from Kerala, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah said.
It said the injured included three each from Maharashtra, Telangana, UP and MP, two each from Delhi and West Bengal, and one each from Punjab, Bihar and Assam.
Swarup said the officials from the Indian Consulate in Jeddah have been on the ground and have set up a 24X7 helpline to provide information and assistance.
They have been monitoring the situation through the night, Swarup said.
The spokesperson had earlier said that 11 pilgrims from the Haj Committee of India and 4 from Private Tour Operators were injured.
Over 100 people died when a massive construction crane crashed into Mecca's Grand Mosque yesterday with scores more injured, days before the annual haj pilgrimage.
A part of the massive crane collapsed as a result of strong winds and heavy rains, media reports said.
Thousands of pilgrims, including hundreds of Indians, have already arrived in Mecca for haj. Saudi authorities have ordered a probe into the incident.
