Thursday, September 24, 2015
A stampede today has killed over 717 Muslim pilgrims, officials say, in Mina, outside Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the Muslim's holy city, where the pilgrims gathered to throw stones at one of the three walls to symbolize the stoning of the devil, a ritual performed during the Hajj. The cause of the stampede is uncertain.
Civil defence of Saudi Arabia mentioned the death toll is continuing to rise, and 863 pilgrims were injured during the incident, and also mentioned rescue operations are under way with, as of earlier today, 4000 personnel along with more than 200 emergency and rescue units present at the scene.
This is reportedly the worst Hajj pilgrimage disaster in 25 years. A similar incident in Mina in 2006 killed more than 350 pilgrims.
Related news[edit]
- "Hundreds dead in Hajj stampede" — Wikinews, January 12, 2006
Sister links[edit]
Sources[edit]
- "Hajj stampede: At least 717 killed in Saudi Arabia" — BBC News Online, September 24, 2015
- "Watch: 717 killed in Haj stampede, worst tragedy in 25 years" — Khaleej Times, September 24, 2015
- "More than 717 dead, 863 hurt in Haj stampede: Saudi civil defence" — Emirates 24/7, September 24, 2015
- Reuters. "More than 717 pilgrims die in stampede in worst Haj disaster in 25 years" — Gulf News, September 24, 2015
from English Wikinews Atom feed. https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Mecca_stampede_kills_hundreds