October 25, 2026 08:23 am (IST)
Follow us:
Death toll in Mecca stampede crosses 700
Mina, Saudi Arabia, Sept 24 (IBNS): The death toll in the stampede tragedy at Mina near the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia rose to 717 on Thursday, media reports said.
The tragedy occurred during a congregation of about two million people for performing the annual Haj pilgrimage.
Saudi Civil Defense forces have said that about 863 pilgrims have been injured in the incident.
Over one lakh Indians were among the millions at the Haj ceremony.
Two Indian have also been injured in the massacre.
"Our Mission in Jeddah continuously monitoring situation in Makkah following tragic stampede. No confirmed casualties at this point of time," tweeted External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup.
The stampede took place on Street 204 of the camp city at Mina, a few kilometres from Mecca where pilgrims from across the world stay for several days during the Haj.
The tragedy befell a day before Eid, during the stoning ceremony,during a ceremony when pilgrims "stone the devil" by throwing pebbles at three large pillars.
It was not immediately clear what had caused the stampede
Images on television and social media showed pilgrims on stretchers and emergency workers at the site.
"Work is underway to separate large groups of people and direct pilgrims to alternative routes," the Saudi Civil Defence said on its Twitter account.
This is the second major disaster at Mecca this month after 107 people were killed on September 12, when a construction crane crashed on the Grand Mosque.
The pilgrimage is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
In a similar disaster In January 2006, 364 pilgrims were killed in a stampede during the stoning ritual in Mina.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
‘Impossible without my intervention’: Melania Trump announces Russia-Ukraine ceasefire in Oleshky
Sat, Oct 24 2026
Meghan Markle ‘deeply distressed’ over child sexual abuse image claims against her father
Sat, Oct 24 2026
Deadly mid-air collision: Four pilots killed as two military aircraft crash in Philippines
Sat, Oct 24 2026
Eiffel Tower women staff row: BAPS monk blames ‘miscommunication’, denies delegation's role
Fri, Oct 23 2026
Dammam airport attack: Indian killed, two compatriots injured as Saudi Arabia faces fresh strikes
Thu, Oct 22 2026
‘Among others’: Macron takes swipe at Trump over France unrest, calls foreign leaders’ remarks ‘stupid’
Thu, Oct 22 2026
Australian MP Helen Haines has both legs amputated after car attack described as political violence
Wed, Oct 21 2026