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Over 345 Haj pilgrims killed in Mina stampede

Atul Aneja

``The tragedy occurred because a large number of pilgrims insisted on doing the stoning ritual in the afternoon''

TRAGEDY AT MINA: The bodies of some of the Haj pilgrims who died in a stampede during the stoning ritual at Mina in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. — Photo: AP

DUBAI: Over 345 pilgrims were killed in a stampede at Mina in Saudi Arabia during a stoning ritual that marks the end of the Haj pilgrimage.

The stampede occurred as tens of thousands of people rushed to pelt stones at three pillars on Thursday.

There has been no confirmation whether any Indian is among the dead, Consul General Ausaf Sayeed, told The Hindu over telephone from Mecca. He said eight injured Indians were admitted to two hospitals and another five with minor injuries were discharged after treatment.

The South Asian Pilgrims Association has not been permitted to visit the mortuary to identify the dead, the official said.

The Saudi Press Agency said "It [the stampede] was the result of a large number of personal belongings being dropped, and because a large number of pilgrims insisted on doing the stoning in the afternoon."

Eyewitnesses said ambulances and police cars rushed and the personnel tried to move people away from the scene. However, many continued to move to finish the stoning ritual before the evening prayers.

Riskiest ritual

Stoning is the riskiest ritual, and every year, nearly two million people assemble at the spot. Jostling is heavy, resulting in many physically weak falling down.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said in a statement that the stampede took place at the eastern entrance of the Jamarat bridge. Bodies covered with white cloth were seen all over the Jamarat area, before being taken away in ambulances and refrigerated trucks.

The tragedy is the second one that struck this year's Haj. Seventysix persons were killed when a hostel on a narrow street in Mecca collapsed last week.

The stoning ritual has been associated with tragedies in the past. The 1990 stampede killed 1,426 people and the one in February 2004 claimed 244 lives.

Saudi authorities have made efforts to revamp the Jamarat area by taking measures such as widening of the stoning targets and deploying thousands of security personnel to prevent any terrorist attack. There is a plan to replace the bridge with a new structure. It will have an elaborate system of entrances and exits, including a subway.

Helplines

PTI reports from New Delhi:

Minister of State for Extenal Affairs E. Ahamed said three helplines had been opened at Mina for Indians as well as outsiders. The telephone numbers are as follows: 0096625523816, 0096625592528 and also 0096625523815.

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