KUALA LUMPUR: Three more bodies of Malaysian haj pilgrims have been identified, while a 71-year-old man has been found safe following last Friday's tragedy at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said Siti Nuroshlizan Zolkifli, 37, of Tanah Merah, Kelantan; Rohana Ismail, 54, of Kuala Krai, Kelantan; and Munah Jusoh, 73, of Cherang Ruku Kelantan, were among the 108 people killed when a crane collapsed on the mosque during a severe sandstorm.
"All three were identified by their family members who were performing the haj with them.
"They will be buried in Mecca, and funeral preparations are being undertaken," Jamil told a press conference here tonight.
Meanwhile, Abdul Muluk, 71, from Pantai Remis, Perak, was found safe at the hotel where Thai pilgrims were staying, after having accidentally followed the wrong congregation when the incident occurred.
"Abdul Muluk, an elderly man who has a tendency to be forgetful, had followed the Thai congregation back to their residence.
"He was found by Thai haj officials, who then took him back to the Malaysian authorities," Jamil said.
Three more Malaysians are still unaccounted for.
A search and identification effort, carried out by Tabung Haji officials, is underway.