Stampede kills 150 people at Hajj pilgrimage near Mecca
- 9 years ago
At least 150 people were killed and 400 wounded during a stampede at the Hajj pilgrimage on Thursday, Saudi Arabian officials said.
"We have a stampede accident in Mina and civil defense is dealing with it," Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Mansour al-Turki told CNN.
The stampede occurred during the ritual known as "stoning the devil," where crowds of pilgrims throw stones at a rock wall meant to symbolize a rejection of evil.
The pilgrimage, conducted over five days, includes detailed rituals such as wearing a special white garment that symbolizes human equality and unity before God; a circular procession around the Kaaba , Islam's holiest shrine; and the symbolic stoning of evil.
"We have a stampede accident in Mina and civil defense is dealing with it," Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Mansour al-Turki told CNN.
The stampede occurred during the ritual known as "stoning the devil," where crowds of pilgrims throw stones at a rock wall meant to symbolize a rejection of evil.
The pilgrimage, conducted over five days, includes detailed rituals such as wearing a special white garment that symbolizes human equality and unity before God; a circular procession around the Kaaba , Islam's holiest shrine; and the symbolic stoning of evil.