Saudi Arabia blames undisciplined pilgrims, orders probe

Saudi Arabia’s health minister blamed undisciplined pilgrims for the deadly stampede yesterday, saying the tragedy would not have occurred if they “had followed instructions”.

Health Minister Khaled al-Falih was quoted by El-Ekhbariya television as saying “many pilgrims move without respecting the timetables” established by authorities, which was the “principal reason for this type of accident.”

“If the pilgrims had followed instructions, this type of accident could have been avoided.”

Saudi Arabia’s head of the central Hajj commitee, Prince Khaled al-Faisal, has blamed the crush outside the holy city of Mecca that killed at least 717 people and injured 850 more on “some pilgrims with African nationalities”, according to Saudiowned al-Arabiya TV.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has ordered a safety review for the Hajj pilgrimage after the stampede

The king said there was a need “to improve the level of organisation and management of movement” of pilgrims.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, has ordered a highlevel investigation, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

During a meeting of the Haj Higher Committee, which he chairs, the crown prince said the findings of the investigation will be submitted to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, “who will take appropriate measures” in response, SPA said.

Thursday’s tragedy comes on the heels of another one, in which 108 people were killed when a massive construction crane collapsed on Makkah’s Grand Mosque on September 11 as thousands were gathering for the Haj.

Earlier Thursday, Health Minister Khaled Al-Faleh promised that there would be a rapid and transparent investigation of the stampede, which he blamed on undisciplined pilgrims not following instructions.