Religious Affairs Minister Matiur Rahman yesterday told parliament that Saudi Arabia authorities were yet to take any initiative to compensate family members of the deceased and injured Hajj pilgrims.
Replying to a query, the minister said one Bangladeshi was killed in crane accident in Saudi Arabia while 144 Bangladeshi nationals were killed in Mina stampede.
“Saudi authorities announced to compensate only the members of deceased and injured hajjis of crane accident but did not take any initiative in this regard.”
The Bangladesh government is also yet to make any decision to claim the compensation, he said.
Replying to another query, the minister said not a single body of Bangladeshi was sent to Bangladesh who died during the Hajj.
The minister said some Hajj pilgrims went to Saudi Arabia on Hajj visas but did not return to Bangladesh after Hajj and that had tarnished the image of the country.