Saudi Arabia's civil defense directorate declared in a statement that, at least 220 people have been killed in a stampede at the Hajj pilgrimage, which is held every year at Mina, Mecca.   

Along with the deaths, there are several injured people. At least 450 pilgrims are reportedly injured in the temple stampede today. The incident took place in Mina, which is on the outskirts of Mecca, the holy city.

The annual pilgrimage began this Tuesday and since then, lakhs and lakhs of people are coming from the different parts of the world and visiting the temple.  

The incident took place on a street named Street 204 between the pilgrim camps. However, the stampede did not take place at the stoning site of devil ritual, which was happening today.  

As of now, the number of deaths is figured as 220, but upon seeing the situation, it can be estimated that the number may further increase.  

In fact, the stampede incidents are not new to the Mina. Right from decades ago itself, the stampede incidents are taking place continuously. 

Stampede since decades at Mina

In an horrifying stampede incident in 1990, not hundreds, but 1426 pilgrims were dead in a stampede, in a very short lanes.

In 2001, on the last day of the pilgrimage, a stampede at Mina, took away 35 lives. Again in 2006, more than 360 pilgrims were killed in a stampede in Mina, near Mecca, where the pilgrims carried out a symbolic stoning of the devil, by throwing the stones against 3 stone walls.

Just a day before the 2006 Hajj stampede incident, an eight-story building being used as a hostel, near the Mecca Grand Mosque was collapsed, which witnessed 73 killings.

In fact, recently, two years ago, 244 pilgrims were killed in the stampede at Mina and several hundreds of people are injured.    

In spite of taking several safety measures like designing the area into a massive construction site, these types of stampede incidents are taking place. So not compromising anywhere,it would be better, if the government thinks upon an alternative or increase the safety measures and be available to support the pilgrims at their foot step.  

For the regular updates of Mina stampede deaths, follow the link Mina accident

By Phani Ch