Hajj Stampede: 45 Indians Dead, Total Death Toll is 769

The number of Indians killed during the Hajj stampede has risen to 45. The total death toll is now 769.

In the worst disaster to strike the annual Hajj pilgrimage in 25 years, at least 769 pilgrims from around the world were killed. (Photo: Twitter.com/@ksa_998)

The number of Indians killed in a stampede during the Hajj rose to 45 on Monday as authorities identified 10 more bodies among the victims of the worst tragedy in 25 years to hit the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The Hajj Consulate in Jeddah today said the deceased included three pilgrims from West Bengal, two each from Kerala and Jharkhand and one each from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Saudi authorities have confirmed that the total death toll from the stampede during Hajj has risen to 769. The number of injured stands at 934. At least 13 Indians were among those injured.

King Salman has ordered the formation of a committee to probe the tragedy. Around two million people from over 180 countries took part in this year’s annual Hajj. From India, 1.5 lakh pilgrims performed Hajj.

The stampede broke out after two massive lines of pilgrims converged on each other from different directions at an intersection close to the five-storey Jamarat Bridge in Mina for the symbolic stoning of the devil.

It was the second major accident this year for pilgrims, after a construction crane collapsed on September 11 at Mecca’s Grand Mosque, killing over 100 people, including 11 Indians.