Updated Hajj Stampede incident At least 770 Killed In Saudi Arabia - Traggic incident crush mecca stampede hajj pilgrims
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2015-09-24
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Updated Hajj Stampede At least 770 Killed In Saudi Arabia - Traggic incident crush mecca stampede hajj pilgrims
Saudi officials described the midmorning stampede at an intersection in Mina, about 3 miles from Mecca, as a “tragic accident.” Health Minister Khaled al-Faleh told state television that “crowding” and the failure by the host of pilgrims to follow instructions to walk at a measured pace had been the cause.
At least 717 people have been killed in a stampede at the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia's civil defence directorate said, as the death toll continued to rise.
The directorate said at least 863 other pilgrims were injured in Thursday's stampede, which took place in Mina, on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca.
The injured have been evacuated to four different hospitals in the Mina region, according to a civil defence spokesman.
Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Prince Mohamed bin Nayef, ordered a probe into how the tragedy had occured.
Nayef, who chairs the Saudi hajj committee, ordered the probe during a meeting with senior officials responsible for the pilgrimage in Mina, where the stampede took place.
The findings of the investigation will be submitted to King Salman, "who will take appropriate measures" in response, the Saudi Press agency said.
Mina is where pilgrims carry out a symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing pebbles against three stone walls. It also houses more than 160,000 tents where pilgrims spend the night during the pilgrimage.
About 4,000 people from the rescue services were participating in the operation to help the injured and about 220 ambulances were directed to the scene, a civil defence spokesman said.
Saudi authorities maintain a tight rein over the number of Muslims allowed annually to perform the Hajj. In recent years, they have also restricted the number of visas issued to Muslims from abroad until major constructions projects in the holy city are completed.
Saudi Arabia prides itself as a leader of the Islamic world, and its king’s official title since 1986 has been “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques”—a reference to the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medinab.
Saudi officials described the midmorning stampede at an intersection in Mina, about 3 miles from Mecca, as a “tragic accident.” Health Minister Khaled al-Faleh told state television that “crowding” and the failure by the host of pilgrims to follow instructions to walk at a measured pace had been the cause.
At least 717 people have been killed in a stampede at the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia's civil defence directorate said, as the death toll continued to rise.
The directorate said at least 863 other pilgrims were injured in Thursday's stampede, which took place in Mina, on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca.
The injured have been evacuated to four different hospitals in the Mina region, according to a civil defence spokesman.
Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Prince Mohamed bin Nayef, ordered a probe into how the tragedy had occured.
Nayef, who chairs the Saudi hajj committee, ordered the probe during a meeting with senior officials responsible for the pilgrimage in Mina, where the stampede took place.
The findings of the investigation will be submitted to King Salman, "who will take appropriate measures" in response, the Saudi Press agency said.
Mina is where pilgrims carry out a symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing pebbles against three stone walls. It also houses more than 160,000 tents where pilgrims spend the night during the pilgrimage.
About 4,000 people from the rescue services were participating in the operation to help the injured and about 220 ambulances were directed to the scene, a civil defence spokesman said.
Saudi authorities maintain a tight rein over the number of Muslims allowed annually to perform the Hajj. In recent years, they have also restricted the number of visas issued to Muslims from abroad until major constructions projects in the holy city are completed.
Saudi Arabia prides itself as a leader of the Islamic world, and its king’s official title since 1986 has been “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques”—a reference to the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medinab.
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