Hajj stampede: Indian volunteers arrive, bodies to be identified

New Delhi: Indian volunteers have reached Mecca in Saudi Arabia to help the authorities following the stampede tragedy on Thursday that killed over 700 people, including 14 Indians, the MEA officials said on Friday.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted that "Indian volunteers have reached in large numbers and are assisting the local authorities" at Makkah.

Indian volunteers have reached in large number and are assisting the local authorities. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 24, 2015

After this Saudi authorities will disclose their identity with photographs. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 24, 2015

#Mecca Our Embassy officials have reported that the process of identification of bodies is on. This will take at least 24 hours.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 24, 2015

We will provide all help to Indian nationals.Two of our officials have reached the site of accident. We are in constant touch with them. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 24, 2015

Over 800 pilgrims were injured in the disaster that took place on the first day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice.

She said "Our embassy officials have reported that the process of identification of bodies is on. This will take at least 24 hours."

"After this Saudi authorities will disclose their identity with photographs."

She also said that two Indian officials have reached the site at Makkah to aid Indian pilgrims.

Bibi Jaan, an elderly resident of Hyderabad, had died and an unidentified man from Lakshadweep had been injured in the tragedy.

Thursday's stampede took place barely two weeks after a massive crane fell in Makkah's Grand Mosque, killing over 100 people and injuring over 200. Eleven of the dead were Indians.

With IANS inputs