Hajj Stampede in Mecca

On September 24, a stampede in Mecca killed over 1,000 people and injured at least 800 others. The stampede occurred during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, as pilgrims from across the globe flocked to visit the Holy City of Mecca. The stampede occurred on the outskirts of the city in Mina, where large tent cities had been set up as temporary housing for visitors. Pilgrims travelled to Mina to perform a ritual known as “stoning the devil,” in which they throw small stones at three ritual pillars across the city, symbolising the moment that Mohammed rejected the devil. The stampede occurred near the pillars on a street between two of these temporary tent cities. The cause of the stampede is currently unknown.

In the aftermath of the stampede, many nations have been critical of the Saudi government’s handling of the pilgrimage. In previous years there have been a number of other stampedes, including a stampede in 1990 which killed 1,426 people. Additionally, the stampede comes just weeks after a crane fell onto the Grand Mosque in Mecca, killing 107 people before their evening prayers.

Iran has been especially vocal over Saudi handling of the yearly event, as at least 464 of the pilgrims killed in the stampede were Iranian citizens. In response, the Saudi government has criticized Iran for “playing politics” with the tragedy. The stampede comes at a time of heightened tensions between both countries, as Saudi Arabia continues its fight in Yemen against the Iranian-backed Houthi Rebels. A banner hung on the Saudi consulate in Mashahd, Iran quoting former Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini reads, "Even if we forgive US crimes, we will never forgive Saudi's," a sign that points to continuing tensions in the region.