Nigerian Pilgrims Killed In Saudi Crane Crash Buried In Mecca

Six Nigerian Pilgrims who died in the Sept. 11 crane crash in Mecca have been buried at the Holy land, Nigeria’s Consul-General to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Umar has said.

Briefing newsmen in Jeddah, Umar said the bodies were buried on Sept. 18, in a “specially designated cemetery” in Mecca, where all victims of the crash were also buried.

The consul-general, who led a delegation of the consulate and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) at the burial, said the bodies were buried after receiving invitation of the Saudi Authority. He added that the consulate and NAHCON officials were fully engaged in the burial arrangement that took place on Friday evening.
He also said that the six Nigerian pilgrims that sustained injuries during the incident had received special attention. According to him, some of them have been discharged while others are still in the hospital responding to treatment.
Umar assured Nigerians and families of the victims that the money promised as compensation by Saudi Authority (Riyals –about N53.1m), would be delivered to the right persons. The Saudi kingdom is giving the same amount promised to families of the dead to those who sustained permanent disability while others with minor injury would get half of the amount.