19 Turks injured in tragic incident ahead of Hajj pilgrimage

19 Turks injured in tragic incident ahead of Hajj pilgrimage
# 12 September 2015 03:57 (UTC +04:00)

"We have learned that 19 Turkish people were injured in the accident. None of them is in critical condition," President of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate, Mehmet Gormez said.

"There are also reports of two dead, according to eye-witnesses, but the deaths have not been officially confirmed yet," he said.

Deputy President Ekrem Keles had previously told Anadolu Agency that at least 17 Turkish people were among the injured, adding they were in good condition.

"We have set up an emergency desk, and sent interpreters to the Saudi hospitals treating the injured Turkish nationals," Keles had said, adding that he had not yet received any confirmation about any Turkish nationals who may have been killed in the accident.

Muhammet Abdullah Furkan, a Turkish doctor who was at the scene of the tragedy, said the crane might have collapsed due to a "possible lightning strike".

Asked if he knew of any Turkish citizens among the dead, Furkan said he knew of three people, while another eye-witness, wishing to remain anonymous, claimed he saw two Turkish people killed in the accident.

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