KABUL(SW): Saudi's officials said more than 400 pilgrims were killed and 400 more were injured due to a horrific stampede today(Thursday) at Mina.
Roughly 2 million people have taken part to perform this year's Hajj.
Earlier, hundreds were killed and 400 more were injured following a crane crash in Mecca.
Today is coincident with the first day of Eid-al-Adha and on this day a large number of pilgrims move to Mina where they perform a symbolic stoning of the devil.
These Hajj-related tragedies are not uncommon.
Here is a list to similar deadly accidents that claimed lives during Hajj in the past (via The Guardian).
- 2006: More than 360 pilgrims are killed in a stampede at the desert plain of Mina, near Mecca, where pilgrims carry out a symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing pebbles against three stone walls.
- The day before the hajj began, an eight-story building being used as a hostel near the Grand Mosque in Mecca collapsed, killing at least 73 people.
- 2004: A crush of pilgrims at Mina kills 244 pilgrims and injures hundreds on the final day of the hajj ceremonies.
- 2001: A stampede at Mina during the final day of the pilgrimage ceremonies kills 35 hajj pilgrims.
- 1998: About 180 pilgrims are trampled to death in panic after several of them fell off an overpass during the final stoning ritual at Mina.
- 1997: At least 340 pilgrims are killed in a fire at the tent city of Mina as the blaze was aided by high winds. More than 1,500 were injured.
- 1994: A stampede during the stoning ritual at Mina resulted in 270 deaths.
- 1990: The worst hajj-related tragedy claims the lives of 1,426 pilgrims in a stampede in an overcrowded pedestrian tunnel leading to holy sites in Mecca.
ENDS
