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Hajj stampede: 54 Nigerians killed | Hajj stampede: 54 Nigerians killed |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 54 Nigerians are known to have died in Thursday's stampede during the Hajj pilgrimage near Mecca, says Nigeria's National Hajj Commission. | |
It was the deadliest incident to hit the Hajj in 25 years. | It was the deadliest incident to hit the Hajj in 25 years. |
At least 769 pilgrims died in the crush, more than 200 of whom are believed to be from Africa. | |
The crush appears to have been caused when pilgrims converged at a junction in Mina, near Mecca, in Saudi Arabia on Thursday morning. | |
The pilgrims were taking part in the Hajj's last major rite - throwing stone at pillars called Jamarat, where Satan is believed to have tempted the Prophet Abraham. | The pilgrims were taking part in the Hajj's last major rite - throwing stone at pillars called Jamarat, where Satan is believed to have tempted the Prophet Abraham. |
The chairman of Nigeria's National Hajj Commission Abdullahi Mukhtar confirmed the numbers but said some pilgrims were missing, meaning the final death toll could rise. | The chairman of Nigeria's National Hajj Commission Abdullahi Mukhtar confirmed the numbers but said some pilgrims were missing, meaning the final death toll could rise. |
The nationality with the highest number of deaths, with at least 140 dead, is Iran. | The nationality with the highest number of deaths, with at least 140 dead, is Iran. |
African deaths at Hajj stampede | |
More on the deadly stampede | More on the deadly stampede |
Hajj's safety concerns | Hajj's safety concerns |
In pictures: Aftermath of the stampede | In pictures: Aftermath of the stampede |
Deadly pinch point at Jamarat Bridge | Deadly pinch point at Jamarat Bridge |
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