Around 50 family members of the pilgrims who died in the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia are scheduled to leave from here for the Gulf nation for the funeral, a senior Telangana official stated on Tuesday.
The funeral is expected to take place on Thursday, he told the media. The Telangana government team, led by Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammad Azharuddin, has reached Saudi Arabia to coordinate the relief efforts, including funeral arrangements.
The official confirmed that the bodies, which were burnt beyond recognition, have been preserved. DNA tests will be conducted for the family members travelling to Saudi Arabia to finalise the death certificates. "Death certificates would be handed over only if DNA matches," he said, stressing that DNA matching is crucial for following the legal procedures.
The revenue department of the Telangana government will also have to issue relevant documents to the family members. The official indicated that a mass funeral is likely to happen. He also pointed out that the Saudi government may provide compensation to the next of kin of the deceased, in addition to the ex-gratia payment and travel compensation provided by the Telangana government.
On Monday, the state government had announced that two members from each victim's family would be taken to Saudi Arabia.
The bus accident left 42 pilgrims, mostly from Telangana, dead, according to people familiar with the matter. However, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar on Monday had put the death toll at 45.
The Telangana government has decided to conduct the funeral of the deceased as per religious traditions in Saudi Arabia and to provide an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each to the kin of those who died.
Also read: Azharuddin-led team leaves for Madinah to aid Umrah victims' kin
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