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Hajj stampede: UK 'ready to help' Britons in Mecca Hajj stampede: UK 'ready to help' Britons in Mecca
(about 1 hour later)
The UK Foreign Office has said it is "ready to support" any Britons affected by the fatal stampede near the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.The UK Foreign Office has said it is "ready to support" any Britons affected by the fatal stampede near the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
At least 717 people taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage were killed and hundreds injured, officials said.At least 717 people taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage were killed and hundreds injured, officials said.
About 25,000 British Muslims are estimated to have travelled to take part in the event.About 25,000 British Muslims are estimated to have travelled to take part in the event.
Prime Minister David Cameron offered his "thoughts and prayers" to the families of those killed.Prime Minister David Cameron offered his "thoughts and prayers" to the families of those killed.
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"The British embassy in Riyadh and British consulate-general in Jeddah are urgently seeking more information and stand ready to provide support to any British nationals that may have been involved," the Foreign Office said."The British embassy in Riyadh and British consulate-general in Jeddah are urgently seeking more information and stand ready to provide support to any British nationals that may have been involved," the Foreign Office said.
More than 860 people have been injured in the incident at Mina, which happened as two million pilgrims were taking part in the Hajj's last major rite. They converge on Mina to throw stones at pillars representing the devil. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he was "saddened" to hear about the incident.
"Our staff remain in close contact with the Saudi authorities and tour operators, and are checking hospitals and other locations to urgently gather information about British nationals who may require assistance," he said.
The Foreign Office said those worried about friends and family can call 020 7008 1500.
More than 860 people have been injured in the incident at Mina, which happened as two million pilgrims were taking part in the Hajj's last major rite.
'Locate pilgrims''Locate pilgrims'
Rashid Mogradia, from the Council of British Hajjis, an organisation which looks after the welfare of British pilgrims going to Mecca, said: "On the one hand we have Muslims around the world and here in the UK celebrating Eid and on the other hand we have this tragic incident unfolding before us in Mina, Saudi Arabia.Rashid Mogradia, from the Council of British Hajjis, an organisation which looks after the welfare of British pilgrims going to Mecca, said: "On the one hand we have Muslims around the world and here in the UK celebrating Eid and on the other hand we have this tragic incident unfolding before us in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
"We have been in contact with a number of tour operators who have taken around 20,000 British pilgrims out for the Hajj, making up that big figure of two million pilgrims, and advising them on the next step in trying to locate their pilgrims to account for them."We have been in contact with a number of tour operators who have taken around 20,000 British pilgrims out for the Hajj, making up that big figure of two million pilgrims, and advising them on the next step in trying to locate their pilgrims to account for them.
"We are seeing on a hourly basis and now minute-by-minute the numbers [of dead] are increasing and we hope that's the end of what we hear.""We are seeing on a hourly basis and now minute-by-minute the numbers [of dead] are increasing and we hope that's the end of what we hear."
What happens at the Hajj? Kashif Latif, from Birmingham, is taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage and said he was not aware of the stampede until relatives contacted him.
Why do millions gather in Mecca every year? He told the BBC: "The Hajj itself, you feel a high level of euphoria, you're doing a pilgrimage that's required of you once in a lifetime, and then to hear of the deaths and numbers that are escalating exponentially, it's a very sombre mood, very very sombre mood."
Humza Yousaf, the Scottish National Party minister for Europe, said his parents were in Mecca and he tweeted: "Big sigh of relief to hear they're safe. Heart goes to those who haven't heard news and to those affected."
He told the BBC there should be an investigation into how it happened.
"There should be some very serious questions asked about Hajj and two million people and whether or not the Saudis have the infrastructure in order to ensure the safety of those pilgrims," he said.
The pilgrims were walking towards the five-storey structure which surrounds the pillars, known as the Jamarat Bridge.The pilgrims were walking towards the five-storey structure which surrounds the pillars, known as the Jamarat Bridge.
The incident happened when there was a "sudden increase" in the number of pilgrims heading towards the pillars, according to a statement by the Saudi civil defence directorate.The incident happened when there was a "sudden increase" in the number of pilgrims heading towards the pillars, according to a statement by the Saudi civil defence directorate.
The stampede is the worst incident at the Hajj in 25 years.The stampede is the worst incident at the Hajj in 25 years.
Sir Iqbal Sacranie, founding Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain until 2006, said efforts were made to keep order but it was difficult with such huge numbers of people attending from around the world. Sir Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain until 2006, said efforts were made to keep order but it was difficult with such huge numbers of people attending from around the world.
He said each year the numbers going to Hajj were increasing by about 8%. Each year the numbers going to Hajj were increasing by about 8%, he said.
"Every country has got its own way of educating, providing training programmes for those who go on pilgrimage," he said.
"But the difficulty comes in, is, do they, every pilgrim who is there, is he able to follow instructions that are given by the authorities?"
The Saudi authorities have spent billions of dollars on improving transport and other infrastructure in the area in an attempt to try to prevent such incidents.The Saudi authorities have spent billions of dollars on improving transport and other infrastructure in the area in an attempt to try to prevent such incidents.
Pilgrims travel to Mina, a large valley about 5km (3 miles) from Mecca, during the Hajj to throw seven stones at pillars called Jamarat, which represent the devil.Pilgrims travel to Mina, a large valley about 5km (3 miles) from Mecca, during the Hajj to throw seven stones at pillars called Jamarat, which represent the devil.
The pillars stand at three spots where Satan is believed to have tempted the Prophet Abraham.The pillars stand at three spots where Satan is believed to have tempted the Prophet Abraham.