One Malaysian pilgrim killed in Mina stampede

One Malaysian pilgrim was killed in the stampede tragedy in Mina on Sept 24.

The pilgrim, Zulkifly Samad, 50, from Taman Ukay Bistari, Ampang, Selangor, is believed to have strayed into the area where the tragedy happened.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Departmet Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said initially Tabung Haji was informed that no Malaysian pilgrims were caught in the stampede.

"Tabung Haji did checks at the Malaysian pilgrims encampment from 12.30pm to 3pm (local time) on the day of the incident.

"There were no complaints from family members or fellow pilgrims about anyone missing," he said in a statement here Sunday.

However, he said at about 11pm (local time) the same day, Zulkifly's wife Suriahanim Abd Hamid had lodged a report that her husband did not return to his tent.

In her report, he said, she admitted that her husband did not join the other Malaysian pilgrims in making their way from Muzdalifah to Mina because he wanted to follow Prophet Muhammad's example by walking the distance.

According to Suriahanim, the last telephone call she made to her husband was at 7.15am on the fateful day, before she arrived in Mina with fellow pilgrims.

She said in their conversation he had informed her that he had safely arrived in Mina together with other pilgrims.

Asyraf Wajdi said after receiving the report, Tabung Haji personnel conducted a search around the Jamarat Complex and hospitals nearby Mina.

He said at 1.30pm (local time) Sunday, a Tabung Haji medical team did a check at the Moaissim mortuary and came across the body of a missing Malaysian pilgrim which was still intact.

The medical team identified the body based on the identification tags found, he said.

"Tabung Haji has confirmed that the body is that of Zulkifly Samad," he added.

More that 700 pilgrims were killed in the stampede which happened in an area where pilgrims from Middle Eastern countries were encamped, about four kilometres from where the Malaysian pilgrims encampment.