Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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345 Pilgrims Killed in Hajj Stampede
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=108D401:3919ACA Pilgrims killed
when tens of thousands of people on Jamarat Bridge pushed to throw
stones at three pillars symbolizing the devil





After having thrown stones toward a pillar representing the devil,
Muslim pilgrims prepare themselves to leave the Saudi Arabian city of
Mina Saudi authorities say 345 Muslim pilgrims were killed during a
stampede near Mecca on the final day of the sacred hajj rituals.

The Interior Ministry says the pilgrims were killed when tens of
thousands of people on the Jamarat Bridge pushed to throw stones at
three pillars symbolizing the devil.

This stone-throwing ritual has been marred by stampedes in the past,
including two years ago when 240 pilgrims were killed.

Saudi authorities redesigned access to the ritual site and deployed
60,000 security personnel this year in an effort to avoid such
accidents.

Last week, 76 people died when their hostel in Mecca collapsed before
the pilgrimage began.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.


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