At least 150 killed in Saudi Arabia Hajj stampede

At least 150 people taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage have been killed in a stampede near the Islamic holy city of Mecca, officials in Saudi Arabia say, the BBC reports.

The civil defence authority said on Twitter that another 400 people were injured in the incident at Mina, about 5km (3 miles) from Mecca.

Rescue operations were under way, it added.

The stampede occurred on the first day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS