Haj stampede: 81 Indians dead, several missing

At least 81 Indians have died in the Haj stampede in September and many are still missing, the government said on Thursday.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh has been sent to Saudi Arabia to help with the identification process of missing Indians, the external affairs ministry’s official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

“The minister sought the intervention of the Saudi Health Minister to establish the identities of all Indian pilgrims.

He also conveyed that the Indian mission is helping identify several people reported to be missing. Singh has been assured of all support and assistance by the Saudi minister,” Swarup said.