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| Mecca: hajj crush kills hundreds near holy city – live coverage | Mecca: hajj crush kills hundreds near holy city – live coverage |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 2.54pm BST14:54 | |
| A Saudi activist opposed to the Mecca development project, has blamed corruption for the failure to prevent such accidents recurring. The activist said: | |
| We are not that much surprised at the accident. We are expecting worse every time. Since this disaster has happened before, so we all expecting that it’s normal to have such a disaster. Maybe it is not normal in other countries, but on account of the corruption that’s going on here in our country ,anything can easily make a disaster for us. We should expect worse and worse. | |
| Other countries don’t have such a budget every year that we do. Unfortunately, with a country which has the richest income, and comparing to the number of people who are living in this country, unfortunately we don’t have the plans, the strategy to manage this. The problem is the corruption in using the resources of the country for building things in the right form. | |
| Unfortunately the government are pointing the finger against the lower levels, saying for example ‘Where are the ambulances, where are the health care workers to manage the people who are injured?’ They try to escape from the real reason of such disaster. | |
| 2.37pm BST14:37 | |
| Saudi health minister blames undisciplined pilgrims | |
| Saudi health minister Khaled al-Falih has blamed undisciplined pilgrims for the tragedy, saying it could have been avoided if they had “followed instructions”. | |
| 2.34pm BST14:34 | |
| The number of injured has risen to 863, according to Saudi civil defence. | |
| 1.44pm BST13:44 | 1.44pm BST13:44 |
| Summary | Summary |
| 1.39pm BST13:39 | 1.39pm BST13:39 |
| Death toll rises to 717 | Death toll rises to 717 |
| The death toll has risen to 717 dead and 805 injured, Saudi authorities say. | The death toll has risen to 717 dead and 805 injured, Saudi authorities say. |
| 1.32pm BST13:32 | 1.32pm BST13:32 |
| The crush took place on Street 204, a road between pilgrim camps, and not at the site of the stoning the devil ritual, according to an al-Jazeera journalist who has been reporting from Mina. | The crush took place on Street 204, a road between pilgrim camps, and not at the site of the stoning the devil ritual, according to an al-Jazeera journalist who has been reporting from Mina. |
| 1.19pm BST13:19 | 1.19pm BST13:19 |
| The death toll is now the highest during the pilgrimage since 1990, when, in the worst hajj-related tragedy, 1,426 people died in a stampede in an overcrowded pedestrian tunnel leading to holy sites in Mecca. | The death toll is now the highest during the pilgrimage since 1990, when, in the worst hajj-related tragedy, 1,426 people died in a stampede in an overcrowded pedestrian tunnel leading to holy sites in Mecca. |
| Here are pictures from the hospital in Mina: | Here are pictures from the hospital in Mina: |
| Staff at Emergency Hospital in Mina rush to rescue injured from the Hajj stampede —State TV pic.twitter.com/Iew57HPyul | Staff at Emergency Hospital in Mina rush to rescue injured from the Hajj stampede —State TV pic.twitter.com/Iew57HPyul |
| 1.04pm BST13:04 | 1.04pm BST13:04 |
| Iran now says that 43 of its citizens have died in the crush: | Iran now says that 43 of its citizens have died in the crush: |
| #BREAKING Iranian death toll at hajj stampede rises to 43 -- currently near one tenth total killed @AFP #Iran #hajj | #BREAKING Iranian death toll at hajj stampede rises to 43 -- currently near one tenth total killed @AFP #Iran #hajj |
| 12.52pm BST12:52 | 12.52pm BST12:52 |
| Iran said at least 15 of its citizens have died in Mina and has accused its bitter enemy, Saudi Arabia, of safety errors in connection with the tragedy, AFP reports. | Iran said at least 15 of its citizens have died in Mina and has accused its bitter enemy, Saudi Arabia, of safety errors in connection with the tragedy, AFP reports. |
| The head of Iran’s hajj organisation, Said Ohadi, said that for “unknown reasons” two paths had been closed off near the scene of the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual where the accident later took place. | The head of Iran’s hajj organisation, Said Ohadi, said that for “unknown reasons” two paths had been closed off near the scene of the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual where the accident later took place. |
| “This caused this tragic incident,” he said on Iranian state television, giving the death toll, indicating that fatalities and casualties could rise. | “This caused this tragic incident,” he said on Iranian state television, giving the death toll, indicating that fatalities and casualties could rise. |
| Ohadi said the path closures had left only three routes to the area where the stoning ceremony was held. | Ohadi said the path closures had left only three routes to the area where the stoning ceremony was held. |
| “Today’s incident shows mismanagement and lack of serious attention to the safety of pilgrims. There is no other explanation. The Saudi officials should be held accountable.” | “Today’s incident shows mismanagement and lack of serious attention to the safety of pilgrims. There is no other explanation. The Saudi officials should be held accountable.” |
| Iran’s deputy foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said Saudi Arabia’s envoy would be summoned to the foreign ministry in Tehran over the incident. | Iran’s deputy foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said Saudi Arabia’s envoy would be summoned to the foreign ministry in Tehran over the incident. |
| “We can in no way be indifferent to this irresponsible behaviour of Saudi Arabia. This will be dealt with through diplomatic channels,” he said on state television. | “We can in no way be indifferent to this irresponsible behaviour of Saudi Arabia. This will be dealt with through diplomatic channels,” he said on state television. |
| He also accused Saudi officials of “tactlessness” over the lack of safety measures at the hajj and said Iran had set up a special headquarters at the accident site to support Iranian pilgrims. | He also accused Saudi officials of “tactlessness” over the lack of safety measures at the hajj and said Iran had set up a special headquarters at the accident site to support Iranian pilgrims. |
| “Saudi Arabian officials are responsible for this incident and they should immediately endeavour to take effective measures for managing the existing crisis and providing full security for pilgrims,” he was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. | “Saudi Arabian officials are responsible for this incident and they should immediately endeavour to take effective measures for managing the existing crisis and providing full security for pilgrims,” he was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. |
| To put the comments in context, Iran and Saudi Arabia have been fighting proxy wars in a number of countries, including Syria and Yemen. | To put the comments in context, Iran and Saudi Arabia have been fighting proxy wars in a number of countries, including Syria and Yemen. |
| 12.43pm BST12:43 | 12.43pm BST12:43 |
| If you’re taking part in the hajj pilgrimage and have been affected by Thursday’s events near Mecca, you can share your stories and eyewitness accounts direct with our journalists by using GuardianWitness - just click on the blue ‘Contribute’ buttons here or via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44 (0) 7867 825056 | If you’re taking part in the hajj pilgrimage and have been affected by Thursday’s events near Mecca, you can share your stories and eyewitness accounts direct with our journalists by using GuardianWitness - just click on the blue ‘Contribute’ buttons here or via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44 (0) 7867 825056 |
| 12.32pm BST12:32 | 12.32pm BST12:32 |
| Business secretary Sajid Javid, the most senior Muslim in the UK government, has added his condolences to those affected by the Mina tragedy: | Business secretary Sajid Javid, the most senior Muslim in the UK government, has added his condolences to those affected by the Mina tragedy: |
| Very saddened to hear reports of stampede & death at annual #Hajj pilgrimage. Thoughts & prayers with all those affected and their families | Very saddened to hear reports of stampede & death at annual #Hajj pilgrimage. Thoughts & prayers with all those affected and their families |
| Updated at 12.36pm BST | Updated at 12.36pm BST |
| 12.26pm BST12:26 | 12.26pm BST12:26 |
| Death toll rises to 453 | Death toll rises to 453 |
| The death toll has sadly continued to rise. The latest from Saudi civil defence is 453 killed and 719 injured | The death toll has sadly continued to rise. The latest from Saudi civil defence is 453 killed and 719 injured |
| Updated at 12.28pm BST | Updated at 12.28pm BST |
| 12.23pm BST12:23 | 12.23pm BST12:23 |
| Reuters has some details of the measures taken by the Saudi authorities to try to avoid a repeat of past tragedies: | Reuters has some details of the measures taken by the Saudi authorities to try to avoid a repeat of past tragedies: |
| Efforts to improve safety at Jamarat have included enlarging the three pillars and constructing a triple-decker bridge around them to increase the area and number of entry and exit points for pilgrims to perform the ritual. | Efforts to improve safety at Jamarat have included enlarging the three pillars and constructing a triple-decker bridge around them to increase the area and number of entry and exit points for pilgrims to perform the ritual. |
| More than 100,000 police and thousands of video cameras are also deployed to allow groups to be dispersed before they reach dangerous levels of density. | More than 100,000 police and thousands of video cameras are also deployed to allow groups to be dispersed before they reach dangerous levels of density. |
| “Please pilgrims do not push one another. Please leave from the exit and don’t come back by the same route,” an officer kept repeating through a loudspeaker at Jamarat. | “Please pilgrims do not push one another. Please leave from the exit and don’t come back by the same route,” an officer kept repeating through a loudspeaker at Jamarat. |
| 12.17pm BST12:17 | 12.17pm BST12:17 |
| More than 220 ambulances and 4,000 rescue workers have been sent to the location of the tragedy. | More than 220 ambulances and 4,000 rescue workers have been sent to the location of the tragedy. |
| Meanwhile, pilgrims continue to arrive in Mina for the stone-throwing ritual. | Meanwhile, pilgrims continue to arrive in Mina for the stone-throwing ritual. |
| Hajj unobstructed by stampede, pilgrims still arriving http://t.co/GgLg8siUOO pic.twitter.com/80yx8z0V6w | Hajj unobstructed by stampede, pilgrims still arriving http://t.co/GgLg8siUOO pic.twitter.com/80yx8z0V6w |
| 12.09pm BST12:09 | 12.09pm BST12:09 |
| Number of injured rises to 631 | Number of injured rises to 631 |
| The number of injured has risen to 631, according to Saudi civil defence. | The number of injured has risen to 631, according to Saudi civil defence. |
| 12.07pm BST12:07 | 12.07pm BST12:07 |
| Below is a map created by my colleague Paddy Allen showing the location of the crush: | Below is a map created by my colleague Paddy Allen showing the location of the crush: |
| Updated at 1.21pm BST | Updated at 1.21pm BST |
| 12.05pm BST12:05 | 12.05pm BST12:05 |
| Saudi Red Crescent says that air ambulances are helping to ferry people from hospitals in Mina and directly from the scene of the crush. The temperature is reportedly 40 degrees C plus, hence people holding umbrellas in a number of the pictures. | Saudi Red Crescent says that air ambulances are helping to ferry people from hospitals in Mina and directly from the scene of the crush. The temperature is reportedly 40 degrees C plus, hence people holding umbrellas in a number of the pictures. |
| عاجل: الإسعاف الجوي يسهم في إخلاء مستشفيات منى والمشاعر المقدسة لإستقبال وإستيعاب الحالات الجديدة من حادثة التدافع. pic.twitter.com/FnISBWwh9u | عاجل: الإسعاف الجوي يسهم في إخلاء مستشفيات منى والمشاعر المقدسة لإستقبال وإستيعاب الحالات الجديدة من حادثة التدافع. pic.twitter.com/FnISBWwh9u |
| أسود رجال الهيئة البواسل بميدان الحدث الأن. pic.twitter.com/GhrPNYUPpl | أسود رجال الهيئة البواسل بميدان الحدث الأن. pic.twitter.com/GhrPNYUPpl |
| من داخل الحدث بمنى الأن pic.twitter.com/JtN1CnwONI | من داخل الحدث بمنى الأن pic.twitter.com/JtN1CnwONI |
| 11.40am BST11:40 | 11.40am BST11:40 |
| David Cameron has expressed his sympathy for those affected by the tragedy: | David Cameron has expressed his sympathy for those affected by the tragedy: |
| PM: My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed in a stampede at the annual Hajj pilgrimage near Mecca. | PM: My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed in a stampede at the annual Hajj pilgrimage near Mecca. |
| Updated at 11.41am BST | Updated at 11.41am BST |
| 11.38am BST11:38 | 11.38am BST11:38 |
| AJ+ reporter Ethar El-Katatney is on hajj and has been tweeting and periscoping from Mina. | AJ+ reporter Ethar El-Katatney is on hajj and has been tweeting and periscoping from Mina. |
| The sound of sirens in Mina is overwhelming. #hajj | The sound of sirens in Mina is overwhelming. #hajj |
| just saw a body in minna being covered with sheets and put on a stretcher. ya Allah. #hajj | just saw a body in minna being covered with sheets and put on a stretcher. ya Allah. #hajj |
| LIVE on #Periscope: Menna right now, where 300+ people have died https://t.co/d7RQBxgNeD | LIVE on #Periscope: Menna right now, where 300+ people have died https://t.co/d7RQBxgNeD |
| 11.04am BST11:04 | 11.04am BST11:04 |
| AFP has more details of the stoning the devil ritual, during which the stampede occurred. | AFP has more details of the stoning the devil ritual, during which the stampede occurred. |
| Thursday’s ritual was taking place at a five-storey structure known as the Jamarat Bridge, which cost more than $1 billion (£0.66 billion) to build, and which was used during earlier pilgrimages. | Thursday’s ritual was taking place at a five-storey structure known as the Jamarat Bridge, which cost more than $1 billion (£0.66 billion) to build, and which was used during earlier pilgrimages. |
| Almost one kilometre (less than a mile) long, it resembles a parking garage and allows 300,000 pilgrims an hour to carry out the ritual. | Almost one kilometre (less than a mile) long, it resembles a parking garage and allows 300,000 pilgrims an hour to carry out the ritual. |
| The faithful had gathered until dawn Thursday at nearby Muzdalifah where they chose their pebbles and stored them in empty water bottles. | The faithful had gathered until dawn Thursday at nearby Muzdalifah where they chose their pebbles and stored them in empty water bottles. |
| They had spent a day of prayer Wednesday on a vast Saudi plain and Mount Arafat, a rocky hill about 10 kilometres (six miles) from Mina, for the peak of the hajj pilgrimage. | They had spent a day of prayer Wednesday on a vast Saudi plain and Mount Arafat, a rocky hill about 10 kilometres (six miles) from Mina, for the peak of the hajj pilgrimage. |
| It was not immediately clear if the stoning ritual at Mina would continue as planned until Saturday after the stampede. | It was not immediately clear if the stoning ritual at Mina would continue as planned until Saturday after the stampede. |
| The ritual emulates the Prophet Abraham, who is said to have stoned the devil at three locations when he tried to dissuade Abraham from God’s order to sacrifice his son Ishmael. | The ritual emulates the Prophet Abraham, who is said to have stoned the devil at three locations when he tried to dissuade Abraham from God’s order to sacrifice his son Ishmael. |
| At the last moment, God spares the boy, sending a sheep to be sacrificed in his place. | At the last moment, God spares the boy, sending a sheep to be sacrificed in his place. |
| The world’s Muslims commemorated Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son by slaughtering cows, sheep and other animals on Thursday. | The world’s Muslims commemorated Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son by slaughtering cows, sheep and other animals on Thursday. |
| 10.57am BST10:57 | 10.57am BST10:57 |
| The Saudi press agency said today that the the total number of pilgrims for this year’s hajj was 1.95m, which included 1.38m foreigners. | The Saudi press agency said today that the the total number of pilgrims for this year’s hajj was 1.95m, which included 1.38m foreigners. |
| 10.52am BST10:52 | 10.52am BST10:52 |
| Approximately 25,000 UK nationals travel to Saudi Arabia for the hajj, according to the Britihs Hajji Delegation, which provides on the ground medical support to British citizens during the pilgrimage. | Approximately 25,000 UK nationals travel to Saudi Arabia for the hajj, according to the Britihs Hajji Delegation, which provides on the ground medical support to British citizens during the pilgrimage. |
| A spokesman for the UK foreign office said: | A spokesman for the UK foreign office said: |
| We are in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking more information following reports of a crush during the hajj pilgrimage at Mecca. | We are in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking more information following reports of a crush during the hajj pilgrimage at Mecca. |
| 10.45am BST10:45 | 10.45am BST10:45 |
| Death toll rises to 310 | Death toll rises to 310 |
| The death toll continues to rise. It now stands at 310, according to Saudi civil defence. Unsurprisingly, given that pilgrims gather from all over the world, it says several nationalities are among the dead. | The death toll continues to rise. It now stands at 310, according to Saudi civil defence. Unsurprisingly, given that pilgrims gather from all over the world, it says several nationalities are among the dead. |
| 10.25am BST10:25 | 10.25am BST10:25 |
| More unverified video footage purporting to be from Mina shows rows of covered up bodies lying on the ground. | More unverified video footage purporting to be from Mina shows rows of covered up bodies lying on the ground. |
| Updated at 10.40am BST | Updated at 10.40am BST |
| 10.22am BST10:22 | 10.22am BST10:22 |
| AP has posted a list of accidents and tragedies which have marred previous hajj pilgrimages. It does not include the collapse of a crane in Mecca earlier this month, which killed more than 100, because that occurred days before the hajj began. The list shows that major loss of life during the pilgrimage had not occurred for some time. | AP has posted a list of accidents and tragedies which have marred previous hajj pilgrimages. It does not include the collapse of a crane in Mecca earlier this month, which killed more than 100, because that occurred days before the hajj began. The list shows that major loss of life during the pilgrimage had not occurred for some time. |
| 2015: At least 150 people are killed and 400 injured in a stampede in Mina, on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca. In the lead-up to hajj, at least 107 people are killed and scores wounded when a crane collapses in bad weather, crashing onto the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Islam’s holiest site.___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: Some 270 pilgrims are killed in a stampede during the stoning ritual at Mina.___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. | 2015: At least 150 people are killed and 400 injured in a stampede in Mina, on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca. In the lead-up to hajj, at least 107 people are killed and scores wounded when a crane collapses in bad weather, crashing onto the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Islam’s holiest site.___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: Some 270 pilgrims are killed in a stampede during the stoning ritual at Mina.___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. |
| 10.12am BST10:12 | 10.12am BST10:12 |
| Pilgrims had converged on Mina just outside Mecca on Thursday to throw pebbles at one of three walls representing Satan, the symbolic “stoning of the devil” that is part of the hajj. | Pilgrims had converged on Mina just outside Mecca on Thursday to throw pebbles at one of three walls representing Satan, the symbolic “stoning of the devil” that is part of the hajj. |
| In January 2006, 364 pilgrims were killed in a stampede during the ritual. | In January 2006, 364 pilgrims were killed in a stampede during the ritual. |
| The hajj is among the five pillars of Islam and every capable Muslim must perform it at least once in a lifetime. | The hajj is among the five pillars of Islam and every capable Muslim must perform it at least once in a lifetime. |
| 10.08am BST10:08 | 10.08am BST10:08 |
| Unverified video footage of the aftermath of the crush has emerged. Clothes can be seen strewn on the ground. WARNING: Contains upsetting images. | Unverified video footage of the aftermath of the crush has emerged. Clothes can be seen strewn on the ground. WARNING: Contains upsetting images. |
| #منى pic.twitter.com/Q2jW3mSFYw | #منى pic.twitter.com/Q2jW3mSFYw |
| Updated at 10.12am BST | Updated at 10.12am BST |
| 10.02am BST10:02 | 10.02am BST10:02 |
| Death toll rises to 220 | Death toll rises to 220 |
| Saudi civil defence says the death toll has risen to 220, with at least 450 injured. | Saudi civil defence says the death toll has risen to 220, with at least 450 injured. |
| These are pictures it posted earlier: | These are pictures it posted earlier: |
| لا تزال عمليات الفرز مستمرة، وارتفع عدد الإصابات إلى 400 إصابة و 150 حالة وفاة. pic.twitter.com/HjZ2QuiYst | لا تزال عمليات الفرز مستمرة، وارتفع عدد الإصابات إلى 400 إصابة و 150 حالة وفاة. pic.twitter.com/HjZ2QuiYst |
| 9.49am BST09:49 | 9.49am BST09:49 |
| Opening summary | Opening summary |
| A crush during the annual hajj pilgrimage has killed 150 people, Saudi civil defence authorities have said. | A crush during the annual hajj pilgrimage has killed 150 people, Saudi civil defence authorities have said. |
| Another 400 were injured in the disaster, which occurred in Mina, outside the Muslim holy city of Mecca, on the first day of the Eid al-Adha festival, which marks the end of hajj. | Another 400 were injured in the disaster, which occurred in Mina, outside the Muslim holy city of Mecca, on the first day of the Eid al-Adha festival, which marks the end of hajj. |
| About two million people are performing the pilgrimage, Saudi state-run TV has said. | About two million people are performing the pilgrimage, Saudi state-run TV has said. |
| The tragedy is the second to hit the kingdom in a fortnight, after the collapse of a construction crane at Mecca’s Grand Mosque killed more than 100 people days before the hajj pilgrimage began. | The tragedy is the second to hit the kingdom in a fortnight, after the collapse of a construction crane at Mecca’s Grand Mosque killed more than 100 people days before the hajj pilgrimage began. |
| Updated at 10.13am BST | Updated at 10.13am BST |