Update: 717 people killed, more than 800 injured in Mecca
Nearly 310 Haj pilgrims killed and 450 injured in Mina, Mecca
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At least 310 Haj pilgrims were reported killed and nearly 450 others injured in a stampede in Mina in Makkah province in western Saudi Arabia on Thursday morning.
According to a local report, the incident took place around 5 am (local time) as thousands of Haj pilgrims rushed through the Street 204 in Mina to participate in the 'stoning of the devil' ritual in Jamarat.
Jamarat is carried out on Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice, and it symbolises the rejection of sin and temptation.
The stampede took place at the Street 204 in Mina, which is one of the two main roads that leads to camp Jamarat, where pilgrims ritually stone the devil by hurling pebbles.
Most of those crushed to death in the stampede were elderly. Local broadcaster Al Arabiya reported citing Saudi civil defence that the situation has been brought under control.
