Mina was a tragedy in waiting

While Saudi Arabian authorities are keeping mum about the cause of last Tuesday's fire, reports coming from that country indicate it was overcrowding coupled with the unwise positioning of Mina camps that led to such a massive disaster.

"With over 200,000 tents erected in a valley that has only so much space, Mina was a tragedy in waiting," the Jeddah-based newspaper Saudi Gazette, which covered the disaster well in detail, reports.

The newspaper said the location of the camps was "inappropriate" -- many had just one exit and were completely surrounded by steep hills.

"The use of fire-proof tents is essential," the Gazette said, and suggested the Haj Research Centre should replace usual tents with structures made of safer materials -- like the experimental two-storey camp for south African pilgrims which it had built using pre-fabricated materials.

Various suggestions including provisions for ready-made meals and use of solar energy for cooking have also been put forward.

Newspapers also carried details about the heroic act of an Indian doctor, Abid Farooqui. Reports say Farooqui, now undergoing treatment for 33 per cent burns on his face, chest and hands at the King Faisal hospital, saved more than 25 pilgrims before collapsing. Farooqui is expected to be discharged in two weeks.

"Many are still not aware of the heroic efforts made to battle the crisis and the struggle that continues," the Gazette report said.

The authorities, had for the first time used first-aid motorcycles. "Five of such bikes were extensively used in providing initial treatment to victims during the blaze," the newspaper reported. A mini-evacuation vehicle was also tried out this year.

UNI