DUBAI: Nearly 200 Pakistani Haj pilgrims are presumed missing or dead — 78 bodies having been recovered and buried so far — after a local launch carrying 500 pilgrims from Al-Khobar (Saudi Arabia) capsized late on Friday night [April 5] outside the harbour entrance here.

From the count of bodies and of the missing persons it is feared 70 women and children are among those dead. Bodies are still being washed ashore as intensive search continues. The survivors, nearly 300, have been lodged in a relief camp. Five persons are in hospital.

The 500-ton launch was on its way to Pakistan when it struck a sandbar at the harbour entrance and broke up. An eyewitness said as the pilgrims tried desperately to scramble ashore the launch’s cargo broke loose crushing many women and children.

All the shops of Pakistanis here were closed yesterday in mourning for the victims. A large number of people attended the funeral ceremony. Mr Kamal Hamza Sudani, Director of Dubai Municipality was also present on the occasion. A large fund was collected by Pakistani merchants and Dubai Municipality for relief work.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2018