Saudi Prince Reveals the Cause of the Stampede Which Claimed Over 700 Lives

 

A statement by Saudi Arabia’s head of the central Hajj commitee, Prince Khaled al-Faisal, has fingered some pilgrims in the fatal stampede that led to massive loss of lives and injuries to visitors.

People from several different countries are reported to have died in the stampede, which took place when two groups of pilgrims arrived at a crossroads on Street 204 at the tent city of Mina for a traditional stone-throwing ritual.

Prince Khaled’s controversial remarks on undisciplined pilgrims were echoed by Saudi health minister, Khaled al-Falih, who was quoted by El-Ekhbariya television as saying that “many pilgrims move without respecting the time tables [set by authorities, which was the] principal reason for this type of accident. If the pilgrims had followed instructions, this type of accident could have been avoided.”
 

Among the casualties of the incident, which happened on first day of the Eid al-Adha festival (24 September), are at least 43 Iranian nationals. Iranian officials accused Saudi Arabia of mismanagement and lack of safety in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The head of Iran’s Hajj organisation, Said Ohadi, said the incident was caused by the authorities’ decision to close two paths near the scene of the symbolic ‘stoning of the devil’ ritual. “Today’s incident shows mismanagement and lack of serious attention to the safety of pilgrims. There is no other explanation. The Saudi officials should be held accountable,” he said on Iranian state television according to AFP.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said a Saudi diplomatic envoy would be summoned over the incident. “We can in no way be indifferent to this irresponsible behaviour of Saudi Arabia. This will be dealt with through diplomatic channels. Saudi Arabian officials are responsible for this incident and they should immediately endeavour to take effective measures for managing the existing crisis and providing full security for pilgrims.