Hundreds dead and hurt in hajj stampede

A stampede killed at least 717 pilgrims and injured hundreds more on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the deadliest tragedy to strike the annual hajj pilgrimage in more than two decades.

At least 863 pilgrims were injured in the crush, said the Saudi civil defence directorate, which provided the death toll.

The tragedy struck as Muslims around the world marked the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday.