As reported by the Department of Civil Defence of the Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia, the death toll from a stampede near Mecca has risen to 717, the number of victims – up to 805 people. Previously reported 453 dead and 719 injured.
According to the authorities, to the pandemonium in the valley of Mina on Thursday morning resulted in the collision of two streams of pilgrims, moving along the passage between the various campgrounds. As a result, many people could not normally fit in a narrow street.
Al Jazeera Journalist Agency indicated that the stampede occurred after a crowd of pilgrims came upon believers sitting on the ground. Marching ahead stopped, but began to fall, pushed by those who followed behind.
Witnesses told television channel Al Arabiya, that the pilgrims have warned about the dangers of driving on a street because of its small size, but this did not prevent the tragedy .
Russians among the victims should not be told Interfax deputy head of the Russian Muftis Council Rushan Abbyasov. According to him, there was a stampede in the sector for the citizens of Saudi Arabia.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud in the deaths of a large number of pilgrims during the hajj and passed words of sympathy to the families and friends of the victims, the press service of the head of state.
Every year on pilgrimage to Mecca arrive about 2 million people. This year, in the valley of Mina is located 160 thousand. Tents and awnings for the pilgrims, divided into several camps.
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