717 martyred, 863 injured in Hajj stampede
FO says Pakistan in contact with Saudi officials
MINA, Saudi Arabia – At least 717 pilgrims were killed and 863 others injured when a stampede broke out in Mina, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence Service said on Thursday.
According to details, the incident took place when the pilgrims were performing stoning of the devil, last major ritual of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said that Pakistan was in contact with the Saudi authorities regarding information about Pakistani pilgrims in Makkah.
In a statement, the spokesperson said that a four-member team of the Pakistan’s Hajj Mission had left for Mina in order to acquire information about any Pakistani injured or deceased in the stampede.
He said that Pakistan’s Embassy in Saudi Arabia had also been directed to give latest updates. Earlier, Hajj Director General Abu Akif said that at least seven Pakistanis were reportedly killed in the stampede.
This is the second major injured to claim the lives of hundreds during the Hajj season. The first one took place when a crane came crashing down on Makkah’s Grand Mosque killing 107 pilgrims – including 11 Pakistanis – and injuring 238 others.
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