Horror at the Hajj
Fear for Britons as more than 700 pilgrims die in Mecca crush
‘Mismanagement by Saudi authorities’
AT least 717 people were crushed and trampled to death yesterday in a stampede at the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy Islamic city of Mecca.
The Foreign Office was last night checking for British victims of the deadliest disaster at the annual event in Saudi Arabia for 25 years.
rescue workers said at least 800 people were injured in the Mina valley, on the edge of Mecca, where a vast tented camp welcomes millions of visitors every three days. Officials said two million people were yesterday taking part in the Hajj’s last major rite, throwing stones at pillars representing the devil.
The tragedy happened as two groups converged on a road junction from different sides. The crush left bodies piled in the street beneath a baking sun.
Traumatised pilgrims looked on from the top of roadside stalls as rescue workers searched for signs of life. The victims were dressed in the simple white garments worn for the Hajj – an obligation for all ablebodied Muslims – but many were covered with blood and debris.
Saudi officials said the victims were of ‘different nationalities’, but gave no further details.
It is estimated about 25,000 British nationals head to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj every year, spending between £4,000 and £5,000 for a typical pilgrimage.
Among them this year was Glasgow broadcaster Na’eem raz, who posted pictures and videos of the carnage. In one he told of large refrigerated vans being used to move bodies, while another showed medics running to help people.
Mr raz said that, had he followed his usual Hajj routine, he could have been among the victims.
He said: ‘I changed my order of performing the Hajj rituals by making Tawaf Al Ifadah [which involves walking around the sacred Kaaba site seven times] first.’
He added he would have been at the site of the stampede ‘had I performed my rituals as I usually do’.
The stampede i s the second disaster in the city this month, after a crane collapsed 16 days ago, killing more than 100. Father- offour Qasim Akram, 32, from Bolton was among the dead.
Last night, many Britons were facing an anxious wait to hear about their loved ones. A Foreign Office spokesman said: ‘We are in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking more information.’
Muslim group the Scottish Hajj and Umrah Trust said no ‘Scottish injuries or fatalities’ had been reported yet.
It added: ‘We’re very saddened to hear of the tragedy in Mina today, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected.’
At least 90 Iranians died in the crush. Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed ‘improper measures’ and ‘ mismanagement’ by Saudi authorities.
But Saudi Arabia’s health minister Khaled al-Falih blamed undisciplined pilgrims for the stampede, claiming it would not have occurred had they ‘ followed instructions’. Saudi authorities have spent millions trying to improve safety.
The Foreign Office urged worried UK relatives to call the British Embassy in Saudi Arabia on 0096 6114819100, or tweet @FCOtravel.