At Least 1,301 People Died During Hajj - Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has confirmed that at least 1,301 people died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage, which took place in July 2015. The majority of the fatalities occurred during a stampede in Mina, a tent city near Mecca, where pilgrims gather for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual. The stampede was one of the deadliest incidents in the history of the Hajj, surpassing the 1990 Mina stampede that killed 1,426 people. The Saudi authorities have been criticized for their handling of the event, with many accusing them of failing to prevent the stampede and of providing inadequate emergency services. The stampede has cast a shadow over the annual pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and is performed by millions of Muslims from around the world every year. The Saudi government has announced an investigation into the cause of the stampede.

Summary

"The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, and is performed by millions of Muslims from around the world every year. The 2015 Hajj was marred by a deadly stampede in Mina, which killed at least 1,301 people. The stampede has cast a shadow over the pilgrimage, and has led to criticism of the Saudi authorities for their handling of the event."