717 killed and over 800 injured in Mecca during Hajj (pics+vid)

107 Muslims killed just a week ago

At least 717 people were trampled to death and over 800 injured in Mecca, Saudi Arabia during the annual Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense Service reported. 220 ambulances and 4,000 rescue workers were deployed in the field for emergency treatment of the victims. The stampede happened in the nearby area of Mina, which traditionally provides temporary accommodation for hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. The tragic incident happened in a street named ‘Street 204’ separating two pilgrim camps, according to Al Jazeera. Muslims worldwide are celebrating the holy day of Eid al-Adha on Thursday, and an estimated 2 million Muslim pilgrims traveled to Mecca to take part. Only two weeks ago 107 people lost their lives in Mecca after a construction crane fell on the crowded Grand Mosque. The worshipers had gathered in the city ahead of this year’s Hajj. In 1990 over 1,400 people were killed in a stampede in the area of Mina.

hajj2 hajj3 hajj4