Mecca Stampede: 717 Dead, 800 Injured

Saudi Arabia's civil defense directorate has said not less than 717 people have died following a stampede in Mecca.

Officials said the stampede, which took place on Thursday, September 24, left no fewer than 800 others injured.

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The stampede occurred in Mina, on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca, when over 2 million pilgrims observing the annual Hajj pilgrimage, who spent the night in the plain fields of Muzdalifa, began trooping to the Jamarat as early as 3am local time.

There are speculations that the stampede took place during the "stoning of the devil ritual".

Al Jazeera's Omar Alsaleh, who is on ground, said: "This is only the initial number ... The Hajj season was already overshadowed by the crane accident that killed 107 people and wounded more than 200."

"The area has turned to a big massive construction site to allow more pilgrims to visit Mecca during Hajj."

READ ALSO: Stoning The Devil At Hajj: Emir of Kano, Sanusi Tells Pilgrims What To Do

As of the time of filing this report, aid workers were still conveying the injured and the deceased pilgrims to hospitals close to Mina.

Watch the video report on the development below:

Meanwhile, an unspecified number of Nigerians have allegedly died in the stampede. However, a more definite report is expected on the names of the dead and their countries, as the authorities in Saudi and the embassies are to make an official statement later in the day.

It is recalled that the Hajj season has already been marred by an unfortunate crane accident in which over 100 people were killed and dozens severely injured.

At least six Nigerians were involved in the Saudi crane incident at the Holy Mosque, Ka’aba, in Mecca on Friday, September 11.

Ahmed Umar, Nigeria’s consul-general to Saudi Arabia, said the dead pilgrims were buried in a “specially designated cemetery’’ in Mecca.

Source: Legit.ng