MECCA (Halbeeg News) – Two Somali were killed in a stampede near Mecca that left more than 50 pilgrims dead.
According to the Saudi Ministry for Hajj Affairs, over 100 injured in Wednesday’s incident in Saudi Arabia during the annual hajj in Mina, on the outskirts of Mecca.
Fahad Abu Talib, the director for Hajj department told Saudi Media that the tragedy happened during the “stoning of the devil” ritual.
“We have so far recorded death toll of 50, the victims are nationals from Philippine, Egypt, Bangladesh and Somalia,” Mr. Abu Talib.
A large number of pilgrims were in motion at the same time” at an intersection of two streets in Mina.
“Our officials are working round the clock to account for all casualties. We will establish full information after the conclusion of the investigation,” he stated.
The two Somali victims were identified as Haji Hassan Mohamed Jim’ale and Haji Ahmed Mohamed Saleh.
The Somali government has not yet commented on the incident.
MINA City
The worst disaster happened in 1990 when a stampede in a Mina tunnel killed more than 1,400 people.
Similar accidents occurred in 1994, 2004 and 2006, each killing more than 200 people and the year of 2015 where 700 people died.
Mina, a place known as the Ten City is a neighbourhood of Mecca.
The town is located just five km to the east of the holy city of Mecca and stands on the road linking Mecca to the hill of Arafat.
Mina is best known for the role it plays during the annual hajj pilgrimage.
More than 100,000 air-conditioned that can house more three million people provide temporary accommodation for visiting pilgrims.
The town is the place where pilgrims throw stones, commentating the occasion that Prophet Abraham stoned the Devil.
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