Saudi Arabia has ordered a probe after one a stampede at the Hajj pilgrimage left as many as 719 people dead and another 863 injured.
The stampede took place in Mina, just outside the city of Mecca just after the conclusion of the “Stoning the devil” ritual by Muslim faithful.
The unfortunate incident is reminiscent of a similar stampede in 2006 which led to the death of 360 pilgrims. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Prince Mohamed bin Nayef, has already called for an investigation.
The stampede on Thursday comes two weeks after 100 people lost their lives after a crane collapsed at an Islamic holy site.
The King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud , has said, “Regardless of the investigation results, the improvement of the methods and mechanisms of the Hajj season will not stop. We have instructed the concerned entities to re-evaluate the current policy and the distribution of responsibilities,”