Saudi's King Salman orders probe into Haj stampede

September 25, 2015 02:37

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has ordered a safety review for the Hajj pilgrimage after at least 717 people died in a stampede near the holy city of Mecca.

Another 863 people were injured in the incident at Mina, which occurred as two million pilgrims were taking part in the Hajj's last major rite.

It is the deadliest incident to occur during the pilgrimage in 25 years.

The king said there was a need "to improve the level of organisation and management of movement" of pilgrims.

Saudi Health Minister Khaled al-Falih said the crush occurred because many pilgrims moved "without respecting the timetables" established by authorities.

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