Hajj stampede death toll reaches 345

Thousands of Muslim pilgrims rushing to complete a symbolic stoning ritual during the hajj in Mina, Saudi Arabia, tripped over luggage today, causing a crush in which at least 345 people were killed, the Interior Ministry said.

The stampede occurred as tens of thousands of pilgrims headed toward al-Jamarat, a series of three pillars representing the devil that the faithful pelt with stones to purge themselves of sin.

Interior Ministry spokesman Maj Gen Mansour al-Turki said 345 people were killed.

Dr Abbasi, a Red Crescent doctor at the scene, put the number of injured at 1,000.