MECCA: An elderly Kenyan man is among the 107 pilgrims killed after a crane crashed into the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Friday.
Aden Hassan Alio in his late 70s died hours after being crushed by debris from a section of a building that was damaged by a falling crane. Three other victims believed to be men are nursing broken limbs at Zaher Hospital in Mecca.
It is not clear whether the deceased and the three injured Kenyans are related or were staying together. Mr Alio, a native of Moyale, was reportedly performing his first pilgrimage or Hajj.
Reports show he flew to Mecca through Jeddah in Saudi Arabia from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport early this month.
His body has already been buried in Mecca. Supreme Council for Kenya Muslims (Supkem) National Organising Secretary Sharriff Hussein, told The Standard yesterday that the deceased died in hospital after being injured in the accident.
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Emergency services took him, unconscious, to Zaher Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment on Saturday. “We are saddened to announce that out of the four Kenyans injured in the accident in Mecca, one succumbed yesterday (Saturday),” said Mr Hussein yesterday.
He also disclosed that two of the injured come from Mandera and the third one from Moyale.
Hussein also said the injured pilgrims are still admitted in hospital.
Strong winds and heavy rains caused the crane to tumble onto the Grand Masjid Al Haram, the largest mosque in the world surrounding Islam’s holiest place, Kaaba.
The original part of the Grand Mosque dates back to 1,400 years and consists of a large square surrounded by covered prayer areas. It has since undergone massive refurbishment to allow it to accommodate more people.
The accident comes less than a fortnight to before the annual Hajj pilgrimage starts.
“We are deeply saddened by the turn of events, which was purely accidental and wish to join the rest of the grieving world in condoling families of those who died and wishing the injured quick recovery,” Hussein said.
He added that two of the injured Kenyans suffered broken legs and internal injuries.
He also said Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Royal family visited the injured and condoled with relatives of the deceased.
Hussein, who is also the deputy chairman of the Kenya Hajj Mission, said this year alone, a record 6,000 Kenyans are headed for the Hajj after the Saudi monarch consented to a request by Kenyan Muslims to increase the Kenyan travel party beyond its 4,500 annual quota.
An additional 1,500 Kenyans are heading to the Holy City for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Two groups of pilgrims in batches of 61 and 55 left Moi International Airport in Mombasa last week for Jeddah. Two other groups leave Mombasa today and tomorrow for the pilgrimage.
Up to two million pilgrims from across the world are expected to converge in Mecca for the pilgrimage.
“We have been assisted a great deal especially by consular services at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Nairobi through its Charge d’Affairs Ali Al-Dosary, who has worked tirelessly to ensure Kenyans get visas to enable them attend Hajj in time,” he said.
In Mombasa, Supkem Coast Chairman Muhdhar Sheikh Khitamy sent condolence messages to the family of the dead Kenyan and all those who perished in the accident.
“We stand with our fellow Muslims including King Abdulaziz, who is the custodian of the Holy City of Mecca during these very trying times and pray that Allah keeps the deceased souls in Heaven. We also pray for those injured to get well soon,” Mr Khitamy said.
