Rusiah first Malaysian haj pilgrim confirmed dead in Mecca crane tragedy

The body of a Malaysian haj pilgrim, Rusiah Suar, 56, has been identified as one of the 107 victims perished in the crane collapse tragedy at the Grand Mosque, Mecca, Friday.

Rusiah from Sungkai, Perak was one of the eight Malaysians who was reported missing after the incident, while the fate of seven others remain unknown.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom in a press conference at TH Hotel on Sunday told family members of the other missing pilgrims to be patient and continue to pray for the best.

He said Tabung Haji will continue to search in all nearby hospitals and clinics for the other missing pilgrims.

"We will ensure that the identification process be completed as soon as possible.

"We will update them from time to time," said Jamil Khir.

Eight Malaysians have been declared missing in the crane collapse tragedy at the Grand Mosque, Mecca, Friday, Malaysian haj delegation chief Datuk Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman.

He said Tabung Haji's search and rescue team is working with Muaassah Asia to find the missing pilgrims.

The other seven who are still missing are Abdul Habib Lahman, 68 from Sik, Kedah; Shahidan Saad, 52 from Kodiang, Kedah; Zainun Taha,69 from Ampang, Selangor; Rohana Ismail, 54 from Kuala Krai, Kelantan; Munah Jusoh, 73 from Cherang Ruku, Kelantan; Siti Nurolshlizan Zolkifli, 37 from Tanah Merah, Kelantan; Abdul Muluk Ishak, 71 from Pantai Remis, Perak.