A total of three Bangladeshis have been identified so far from the 650 photographs of Mina stampede victims published by the Saudi authorities.
The foreign ministry came up with the findings through issuing a statement on Sunday afternoon.
The statement said the number of missing Bangladeshi pilgrims is yet to be ascertained by the authorities.
According to the latest report received from Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi authorities have so far released photos of about 650 pilgrims who died in the stampede in Mina on 24 September.
Of the deceased, M Shahidul Islam from Khulna has been confirmed as Bangladeshi hajj pilgrim. Another dead body has been identified as of a Bangladeshi national but his identity could not be confirmed yet.
Besides, family members a female haji, Firoza Khanam, confirmed her death in the stampede though her photo was not yet among those released photos.
With reference to the ministry’s earlier media release, Bangladesh Consulate General, Jeddah has now informed that though one of the dead bodies of the victims of Mina tragedy was primarily identified as Aminur Rahman from Savar, Dhaka. But, the accompanying relatives of Aminur Rahman, after verifying the photos, confirmed that it was not Aminur Rahman’s body.
Officials at Bangladesh Consulate General are trying to confirm the identity of the dead body as well as other victims of the incident.
Saudi authorities are expected to publish photographs of the rest of the victims on Sunday or Monday, added the statement.
The photographs were displayed at the Bangladesh Hajj Mission, Makkah for identification by hajj agents, relatives and acquaintances.
Medical teams are working at various hospitals in Makkah and collecting information about missing hajis. Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate General in Jeddah along with the Hajj Mission are working to get further information and to support the victims.
Hajis, their companions and relatives, hajj guides and agents are requested to report about missing hajis over the phone numbers: 00966(0)537375859 and 00966(0)509360082.
Source: Prothom-Alo
