Hajj Stampede: Tragedies In Mecca Are Far From Rare

The Saudi king has ordered a review into safety at the hajj following a stampede which resulted in the deaths of 717 people. Another 863 were injured in the pilgrimage's deadliest incident for 25 years. Indeed, tragedies are far from rare in Mecca. Yesterday's stampede was the second disastrous incident to strike this year's hajj after a crane collapse killed 109 pilgrims two weeks ago. The worst disaster to strike the hajj in modern times occurred on 2 July 1990 when 1,426 people were killed in a stampede in an overcowded tunnel.