85 dead in haj stampede
2006-01-12 16:35
Jeddah - At least 85 people were killed on Thursday in a stampede at the procession symbolizing the stoning of the devil during the annual haj pilgrimage, medical sources told AFP.
"The number of killed is 85, and the figure is due to rise because most of the victims are in critical condition," said one medical source.
The stoning of Satan is the riskiest episode of the haj as the pilgrims jostle to make sure their pebbles touch the pillar while the weaker ones risk being trampled on by the masses.
- AFP