Mosque mishap: Last rites of four Indians in Mecca

HYDERABAD: The last rites of four persons from Hyderabad, who had gone to Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and died in an accident there, would be conducted in Mecca, the Telangana Government said today.

The State Government made a request to this effect to the India's Consulate General at Jeddah as per the wishes of the relatives of deceased persons.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who is on a visit to China, expressed grief over the deaths, a release from his office said.

He spoke to the officials over phone and told them to extend help to the pilgrims, it said.

The relatives of the deceased would be sent for Haj from Hyderabad, the release added.

Eleven Indians were among 115 people who died following the crash of a huge crane into a part of the Grand Mosque in Mecca filled with worshippers on Friday. The tragedy took place less than two weeks before the annual pilgrimage.

Thousands of pilgrims, including hundreds of Indians, have already arrived in Mecca for Haj.