Two Hyderabad women among those killed in Haj stampede

Another woman from Hyderabad is among those killed in the stampede during Haj at Mina near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, officials said. The woman is identified as Saba Tasleem (aged around 65 years), a resident of Chandrayanagutta here, an official in the Telangana State Haj Committee said, citing information available with them. The woman went for Haj through private operators and not the Haj Committee, the official said. The Haj Committee had yesterday announced the death of Bibi Jan, wife of Abdul Majeed, in the stampede. The State Haj Committee has set up 24X7 helpline numbers, 040 23214193 for Telangana and 040 23298793 for Andhra Pradesh. The Haj Committee of India has also set up a 24x7 control room with telephone numbers 022-22717100/ 22717101/ 22717102. The Union Government said fourteen Indians were among 717 people killed in the stampede. "Our consul general Jeddah reports loss of 14 Indian lives in stampede," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted today. Thirteen Indians were among over 800 people injured in the tragedy, she said. "The exact number will be known after confirmation by Saudi authorities," she further said. Fourteen Indians were dead and 13 others injured in the grisly stampede as the death toll in the worst tragedy to hit the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in 25 years rose to 719.