Dhaka awaits Mina casualty details, hotlines opened

Bangladesh officials in Saudi Arabia await the details of the casualty as the international media reported that at least 310 pilgrims were killed in a crush at Mina, outside the holy Saudi city of Mecca during a Hajj ritual, state minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam said on Thursday. "One of our officers is (waiting) in Mina hospital. Bodies (are) arriving at (the Mina) hospital and authority wouldn't let anyone in," he said in a Facebook posting as he was getting into an aircraft. He added: "We will update families as soon as hospital authority releases information."
A foreign ministry spokesman in Dhaka, meanwhile, told BSS that they would issue a statement "soon" on the matter as the media reports suggested at least 450 others were injured in the stampede, which took place on Street 204 of the camp city at Mina. It was not immediately clear what caused the stampede. Bangladesh mission in Saudi Arabia has opened hotlines as the death toll from the stampede of pilgrims during the Hajj on Thursday continues to rise. Ambassador Golam Masih told bdnews24.com they rushed an officer to the hospital to ascertain whether any Bangladeshis were among the victims. The foreign ministry would update families as soon as hospital authority releases information. The hotlines for seeking assistance are +966537375859and +966509360082.

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