At least 244 Muslim pilgrims were crushed to death and a similar number injured in a human tide during a devil-stoning ritual at the climax of the annual haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia Sunday. “There were 244 pilgrims who died in the incident in Jamarat and 244 who were injured,” Pilgrimage Affairs and Endowments Minister Iyad bin Amin Madani told reporters without giving a breakdown of nationalities. The disaster happened as two million pilgrims, wrapped in white robes, flocked to Jamarat Bridge in Mena to throw stones at pillars representing the devil on the Muslim Eid al-Adha feast day of sacrifice. Madani said a huge number of pilgrims had opted to perform the ritual at the same time although the kingdom had been encouraging them to stagger times to prevent a stampede. Full Story
About OODA Analyst
OODA is comprised of a unique team of international experts capable of providing advanced intelligence and analysis, strategy and planning support, risk and threat management, training, decision support, crisis response, and security services to global corporations and governments.