More than 700 killed near Mecca during stampede at Saudi hajj pilgrimage

Saudi Arabia's civil defense directorate said Thursday that at least 220 people were killed and 450 injured during a stampede at Mina, outside Mecca, during the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca's Grand Mosque. Stampedes used to be fairly common during the hajj, but Saudi authorities put new safety measures in place after 364 pilgrims were crushed in 2006.

Mina is a large valley about three miles outside Mecca, where pilgrims spend the night and take part in the ceremonial stoning of the devil, throwing pebbles at three walls. About two million pilgrims are participating in this year's hajj, which began on Tuesday.

UPDATE — 7:45 AM EST: The death toll from the stampede has been raised to 453 and the number of injured to 719.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

UPDATE — 8:45 AM EST: The death toll has risen to 717 and the number of injured to 805.