Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has ordered massive payouts for the families of those killed and injured in last week’s crane crash tragedy, which claimed the lives of 111 people and injured over 238. In a royal decree on Tuesday, the king announced that there would be SR1 million paid to each victim’s family, SR1 million (about N65 million) to those whose injuries resulted in permanent disability, and SR500,000 for each of the injured, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The king stated that these payments would not exclude the families of the deceased, and the injured, from launching lawsuits through the courts for compensation.
He also announced that the Kingdom would host two family members of those who died, for next year’s Haj. Those who were injured and cannot complete their rituals this year would be able to return next year as the king’s guests. The family members of the injured in hospitals for treatment would be granted visit visas to remain in the Kingdom.
The king also reviewed the report of the committee investigating the incident, which concluded that the crane was blown over by strong winds on Friday while the machine was in an incorrect position.
The king ordered that the report be sent to the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution for further investigations into the procedures adopted by the Saudi Binladin Group.
Six Nigerian pilgrims died in the tragedy, according to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON). The agency said the victims comprised one male from Kaduna State, four females from Gombe and one male from Katsina. They were buried yesterday in Martyrs’ Cemetery, situated adjacent to the mosque where the incident took place.
It has not been disclosed how many Nigerians were injured in the tragedy. A total of 110 people were killed – and at least 235 injured – when a massive crane collapsed in Makkah’s Grand Mosque on Friday. When the accident occurred, the mosque was teeming with hundreds of worshippers performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
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