At least 220 people were killed and over 450 hundreds injured in a stampede Thursday, September 24 at the annual hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabian authorities tell news media.
The tragic incident happened in Mina which is about five kilometers from the Muslim holy city of Mecca, AP reports.
Mina is where the symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing pebbles against three stone walls is done by pilgrims.
The stampede occured in large valley where tents are put up for pilgrims to spend the night. Over 160,000 tents were put up in the site in Mina, which is a large valley.
Saudi’s Civil Defence Directorate said on its Twitter account that at least 450 pilgrims were injured in the stampede also releasing photos showing rescue workers helping the wounded with ambulances near by. White tents can be seen nearby.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage — which began on Tuesday — attracts around 2 million Muslims to Mecca.
In 2006, 360 pilgrims were killed in a similar stampede in the same area.
This sad event is happening less than two weeks after a giant crane crashed on the Grand Mosque in Mecca killing at least 111 people and leaving 390 injured.
Late Al Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden’s family construction company was linked to the tragedy.
