Mecca stampede: PM Narendra Modi expresses pain over loss of lives

"Pained at loss of lives due to the stampede. Condolences to families of the deceased & prayers with the injured," he added.

By: PTI
New Delhi | Updated: September 25, 2015 08:20 AM IST

2 min read

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Muslim pilgrims gather around the victims of a stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia during the annual hajj pilgrimage on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. Hundreds were killed and injured, Saudi authorities said. The crush happened in Mina, a large valley about five kilometers (three miles) from the holy city of Mecca that has been the site of hajj stampedes in years past. (AP Photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed pain at the loss of lives in stampede in Mecca and conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased. “Distressing news from Mecca,” tweeted Modi, who is in the USA on a six-day visit.

“Pained at loss of lives due to the stampede. Condolences to families of the deceased & prayers with the injured,” he added.

At least 453 pilgrims were killed and 719 others injured on Thursday in a stampede during the Hajj at Mina, near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, as per the latest information about one of the worst incidents in nearly a decade to hit the annual pilgrimage.

Over two million pilgrims, including more than 1.5 lakh Indians, are performing the Hajj this year.

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