Thais hurt in crane collapse found in Saudi hospitals

The Thai Haj Affairs Office yesterday announced Tuanya-imah Na-nakhon had suffered leg injuries and Phisa Duangdol injured her neck, shoulder and back.

The collapse killed 111 people and injured over 230.

Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat offered condolences to the family of Wanida Sadi, 48, the Bangkok resident killed in the tragedy.

Vira said the four Thais injured in the accident were recovering and Kritsayapong Siri, chief of the Religious Affairs Department, was co-ordinating with agencies to aid them. 

Visas to Saudi Arabia were approved for 10,400 Thai pilgrims for the annual haj pilgrimage.

Vira said the final two batches of pilgrims would reach the Middle Eastern country on September 16 and 17, after which the airport there would close in order to start accommodating people returning to their home countries. 

The department will facilitate the return of the first batch of Thai pilgrims on September 28.

It has set up two numbers – (094) 952 0668 and (094) 915 8257 – for relatives to inquire about Thai pilgrims in Mecca.