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