Related:
Major deadly stampedes
last year
Spain sends condolences for
Mecca stampede
deaths
345 pilgrims killed in hajj
stampede in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH,
Jan. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Saudi Interior Ministry announced on Friday that the
death toll from Thursday's stampede in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi
Arabia has risen to 363.
|
More than 363 Muslim pilgrims were
trampled to death and some 300 wounded outside the Saudi holy city of
Mecca on Thursday. (Xinhua photo)
| Interior
Ministry spokesman Mansur al-Turki said at a news conference that the total
number of the dead has reached 363 and 203 of them, including 118 men and 85
women, have been identified.
In addition, over 280 people were injured but only 45 have
remained in hospital for medical treatment, he added.
Meanwhile, the spokesman re-asserted that the tragedy occurred
due to chaos caused by thousands of pilgrims rushing to complete asymbolic
stoning ritual on the last day of the Hajj who tripped over luggage.
Thursday's massive stampede was the second fatal incident in
this year's Hajj.
Earlier this month, a hostel housing pilgrims collapsed in
Mecca, leaving over 76 people dead and scores of others injured.
Millions of Muslims from more than 70 countries journey to the
holy city of Mecca each year to perform the Hajj which begins on the eighth day
of the 12th month of the Islamic year and fell on Sunday this year.
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