Two Haj pilgrims die due to exhaustion

Kanpu: Two Haj pilgrims have died and another slipped into coma soon after their return from Mecca to this Uttar Pradesh city.
They had been admitted to different hospitals in the city after they showed signs of extreme exhaustion during the flight.
Septuagenarian Bibi Mariam of Becongunj died at a private hospital as her blood pressure shot up and she complained of weakness on Wednesday.
Another pilgrim, Mohd Sabir, of Rizvi Road breathed his last at a local hospital.
Salimunissan, 75, collapsed at the Amausi airport minutes later she cleared the security check. She is now in the Lala Lajpat Rai hospital in coma.
The family members of Haj pilgrims blame the mental agony caused by the Air India staff at the Jeddah Airport for the condition of the pilgrims.
The airlines demanded 13 riyals per kg of extra luggage, which the pilgrims could not afford. Many stayed at the airport for more than three days waiting for monetary help to come by. Others left for India leaving their luggage behind.
'For old and fragile women like mother, it was tiresome and she couldn't bear the pressure,' said Salimunissan's son Gulzar Ali. 'We are going to lodge a formal complaint with A-I authorities.'
03/01/08 IANS/Earthtimes, UK

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Categories: Air India - International Jan 2008, Foreign Jan 2008, NACIL Jan 2008, Safety Jan 2008