The Hindu : 3 Indians among 14 killed in Haj stampede

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2003

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3 Indians among 14 killed in Haj stampede

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA (BAHRAIN) Feb. 11. Three Indians were among 14 pilgrims killed during a stampede near Mecca, nearly two kilometres away from the site where the "Stoning of Satan" ritual is performed.

``Fourteen pilgrims died and others were slightly injured following a huge rush in Mina,'' General Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed bin Said, commander of security forces in Mecca, said.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) all three Indians killed were women, while others who lost their lives were from Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, Yemen and Sudan. Bodies of two men are yet to be identified.

The stampede took place at 1 p.m. (IST) when pilgrims who were returning after performing the "Stoning of the Devil" ritual ran into another group of pilgrims that was coming in the opposite direction.

In the melee, some pilgrims fell to the ground and got crushed, the SPA said. The condition of two pilgrims was serious while others who were moderately injured had been discharged from hospital, the news agency added.

The three-day stoning ritual, which marks the first day of Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) and the last stage of the annual Haj, has witnessed several stampedes over the past years.

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