Muscat: The two Omani nationals who were among the pilgrims injured in the crane accident at Makkah’s Grand Mosque last Friday have been identified as Salim Al Hajri and Ali Al Wahaibi of Bidyah province, east of Oman.
Al Hajri told Gulf News that he was circumambulating the cube-shaped Kaaba with his friend Ali when the crane suddenly fell on the Grand Mosque’s roof.
“When the crane fell, it divided into large fragments. One of the big pieces injured my two legs, cutting through to my nerves. It also hit my head and my hands”, said Al Hajri.
Some pilgrims helped Al Hajri as he couldn’t move or walk, by taking him to a safer place.
“What I remembered was that I saw a man whose body was cut into two parts after the large part of the crane fell on him”, said Al Hajri.
Al Wahaibi sustained an electric shock due to the wires that were cut when the crane collapsed. He jumped on other pilgrims to avoid electrocution and escaped with a fractured leg.
Al Hajri added that the ambulance arrived at the scene 30 minutes after the crane fell.
Salim and Ali underwent medical treatment at a Makkah health centre and were discharged after seven hours.
They thanked the Saudi authorities and the Omani Haj mission for the help they provided for them.
They also appealed to the mission to provide them with a vehicle as they cannot walk due to their injuries.
