At least 345 people were killed on Thursday in a stampede at the procession symbolising the stoning of the devil during the annual pilgrimage, said Saudi Health Minister Hamad bin Abdullah al-Maneh.
About 289 other pilgrims were wounded in the accident due to “unruly pilgrims, and a problem of luggage,” al-Maneh told reporters.
“Today, just after sunset, there was a big rush among the pilgrims which led a group of them to be killed or wounded,” he said.
“The number of killed has reached 345 by the time of drafting this report,” he said.
“As for the number of who were transported to hospital it is 289 most of whom have light injuries and have been released from hospital after first-aid treatment,” he added.
The stoning of Satan is the riskiest episode of the hajj as the pilgrims jostle to make sure their pebbles touch the pillar while the weaker ones risk being trampled on by the masses.
On February 1 2004, 251 pilgrims were killed and at least the same amount injured during the stoning ritual and on May 24 1994, 270 pilgrims perished during the ritual.
On July 2 1990, 1 426 pilgrims, mostly Asians, were trampled or asphyxiated to death in a stampede in a tunnel in Mina. – AFP