Over 700 killed in crush of hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

MINA, Saudi Arabia -- Two giant waves of Muslim pilgrims collided at an intersection Thursday near a holy site in Saudi Arabia, and more than 700 people were crushed and trampled to death in the worst disaster at the hajj in a quarter-century.

"People were climbing over one another just to breathe," said Abdullah Lotfy of Egypt. "It was like a wave. You go forward, and suddenly you go back."

The hajj, which drew 2 million people from over 180 countries this year, is a huge logistical challenge for Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has spent billions of dollars to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims and maintain safety and security at Islam's holy cities of Mecca and Medina for the annual event.

Saudi authorities began an investigation, said Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki, adding initial reports showed two crowds coming from opposing directions converged at an intersection in Mina, on the outskirts of Mecca, when the pushing started.

"Unfortunately, these incidents happen in a moment," al-Turki said at a news conference.

But four survivors questioned how officials managing the flow of people could allow two big crowds going in different directions to intersect on two streets packed with pilgrims.

"What happened was more than they were ready for," Lotfy, 44, said.

As of late Thursday, the Saudi civil defense directorate said the death toll was 719, but that probably would rise as bodies continued to be counted and sent to the morgue. At least 863 people were injured, the directorate said.

One crowd had just finished a ritual in which pilgrims throw pebbles at three stone columns representing the devil when it ran into another wave of people heading to perform the rite.

Sudanese pilgrim Mohammed Awad, 36, and his 56-year-old father were separated when people began pushing and shoving. Awad said he tried to get out of the crush of bodies for about 30 minutes and eventually climbed over a gate with others. It took him an hour before he could look for his father, who was under at least 10 bodies -- but still alive.

"You can't count how many bodies there were. They were stacked high," Awad said.

Saudi Arabia takes great pride in its role as the caretaker of Islam's holiest sites and host to millions of Muslims who must perform the hajj at least once in their lives.