In a fire incident in a hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, eight Pakistani Umrah pilgrims were killed and many others were reportedly injured.
Shiraz Ali Khan, Consul Welfare in the Pakistan Consulate in Jeddah, told Urdu News that this incident of fire occurred in a hotel located on Ibrahim Khalil Road in Makkah.
According to Consul Welfare, “initial reports have indicated that the fire broke out in a room on the third floor of the hotel due to a short circuit, which engulfed other rooms as well.” Four rooms were damaged by the fire.
Among the dead Pakistanis, four have been identified, out of which two are from Wahari and two from Kasur. Attempts are being made to identify the other four people.
Shiraz Ali Khan said that it is difficult to identify the dead bodies due to burns, but the process of identification is going on.
The Saudi authorities say that DNA may be used to identify the bodies.
Consul Welfare added that the bodies of the dead have been kept in the hospital’s cold room. The heirs are being contacted, after which a decision will be taken regarding sending the dead bodies to Pakistan or burying them in Makkah.
To a question, he said that the number of dead is eight. The news in the media regarding the number of dead is not correct.
Earlier, in response to the questions of the media regarding the deaths, the spokesperson of the Foreign Office said that ‘there are reports of 8 deaths and 6 Pakistanis being injured in the tragic incident of fire in a hotel in Makkah.’
The spokesperson said that the Pakistani mission in Jeddah is in contact with the local authorities to help the victims and their families.