Saudi Haj stampede probe ‘continuing’

Riyadh: A Saudi investigation into the worst disaster in the history of the Haj pilgrimage is yet to end, official media reported on Monday, more than three weeks after a stampede killed over 700 people.

Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Nayef “was reassured of the progress of the ongoing investigation”, the Saudi Press Agency said, in a rare update after he met on Sunday night with the investigative committee.

“He directed the members of the committee to continue the efforts exerted to come to the reasons behind the accident,” SPA said.

Prince Mohammad Bin Nayef is interior minister and chairs the Saudi Haj committee.

He ordered the probe immediately after the September 24 disaster during a stoning ritual at Mina, just outside the holy city of Makkah.

Saudi Arabia issued a death toll of 769 two days after the incident but has given no further tally or details of the casualties.

Data from foreign officials in more than 30 countries produced a toll that was higher.

Pilgrims blamed the stampede on police road closures and poor management of the flow of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in searing temperatures.

Saudi officials, speaking immediately after the disaster, blamed some pilgrims for not following rules.

The results of the probe will be presented to King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, who carries the title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah.

King Salman has already ordered a revision of how the Haj is organised.

Saudi Arabia’s handling of the Haj and its response to the disaster provoked foreign criticism from regional rival Iran, which reported the largest number of dead at 464.

The Haj and lesser Umrah pilgrimages bring millions of Muslims to Saudi Arabia every year.

King Salman said last week that the kingdom used “all its capabilities and efforts” to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims.

Days before the start of this year’s Haj at least 109 people, including foreign pilgrims, died in a separate accident when a construction crane collapsed on Makkah’s Grand Mosque.