Stampede Takes At Least 200 Lives, Injures 450 During Hajj PilgrimageJust In

September 24, 2015 15:12
Stampede Takes At Least 200 Lives, Injures 450 During Hajj Pilgrimage

A stampede killed at least 200 people and injured 450 others during Hajj pilgrimage rituals outside Mecca. The ritual that was being performed when the stampede occurred is known as "stoning the devil" in the tent city of Mina, which is nearly two miles from Mecca. Even in past years, hundreds were killed during the same ritual or ceremony.

Brig. Gen. Mansour al-Turki, interior ministry spokesman, said, "We have a stampede accident in Mina and civil defense is dealing with it."

Nearly 220 ambulances, 4,000 workers and other vehicles were deployed by officials to Mina to help with the tragedy.

As per Muslim traditions, stones are thrown at three pillars in the ritual. This is a re-enactment of an event when the devil was stoned by Prophet Abraham and rejected temptations.

During the ceremony, pilgrims pass crowded bottleneck area to go to the small pillars on the ground. Hence, in the 1980s and 1990s, the ritual was the scene of stampedes besides hundreds of deaths.

At least 363 people were killed in a stampede in 2006. The incident resulted in erection of three massive pillars by the Saudi government. Also a 1.2 billion, five-story Bridge was completed nearby where stones can be tossed by pilgrims. It was believed to be a roomier atmosphere besides efficient way to lodge the faithful.

-Sumana

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