Mecca tragedy: DNA samples of missing pilgrims handed over to Saudi Arabia authorities

The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples taken from the next of kin of the two Malaysian haj pilgrims who remain missing following a crane collapse tragedy at the Grand Mosque, Mecca, on September 11, has been handed over to the Saudi Arabia authorities for identification process at a morgue in Mina.

Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said this during a press conference held here today.

He said that the DNA identification process at the morgue would take between two to three weeks.

The next of kin are also expected to be there until the process is complete.

The two pilgrims who remain missing are Shahidan Saad, 52, from Kodiang, Kedah and Abdul Habib Lahman, 68, from Sik, Kedah.

Shahidan’s next of kin is his brother Zulhakim while, Abdul Hasib is represented by his son Mohamad Fazil.

Of the 108 pilgrims killed in the tragedy, five were woman Malaysian pilgrims.