Pages

▼

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Iranian protesters take to the streets to blame Saudi 'incompetence' for causing the Hajj stampede which killed 719 pilgrims

 Up in arms: The protests came a day after at least 717 pilgrims died during a crush on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca
Thousands of Iranian protesters took to the streets today to denounce the 'incompetence' of Saudi Arabia's handling of the Hajj pilgrimage where more than 719 people were killed in a stampede.
Iranians wave black flags in a show solidarity with those killed while performing the Hajj in Mecca during a protest condemning Saudi Arabia
The horrific crush, which also left hundreds wounded, happened when two giant waves of Muslims collided at an intersection near a holy site in Mina. 
The stampede occurred at the intersection of Street 204 and Street 223, when it is believed two waves of pilgrims travelling in different directions collided. On Day one of the Hajj, pilgrims walk to Mina where they spend the night. On Day two, they climb nearby Mount Arafat, where Mohammed gave his final sermon. On Day three (today), pilgrims celebrate Eid al-Adha with the stoning of three pillars at Jamarat, which represents Satan. On Day four they return to Mecca for the final tawaf, which involves circling the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque
Saudi health Minister Khaled al-Falih blamed victims for the disaster for failing to follow instructions, adding: 'This type of accident could have been avoided. However, this is God's will.' 
But pilgrims and Muslim groups hit back angrily at the claims, accusing Saudi officials of closing two key roads so dignitaries could reach a palace. 
Regional rival Iran also expressed outrage at the deaths of 131 of its nationals, with politicians in Tehran suggesting that Saudi capital Riyadh was ‘incapable’ of managing the event

Bodies of hundreds of dead and injured pilgrims lie strewn across the floor after they were caught up in a horrific stampede in Saudi Arabia 
Bodies of hundreds of dead and injured pilgrims lie strewn across the floor after they were caught up in a horrific stampede in Saudi Arabia 
Walking among the dead: A pilgrim mourns for those who died as he steps between covered bodies on the streets of Mina yesterday 
The disaster, which also left several hundred people wounded, happened when two giant waves of Muslims collided near a holy site in Mina 
Horrific: Saudi emergency personnel stand near bodies of Hajj pilgrims at the site where at least 717 were killed in a stampede that the Kingdom's health minister has blamed on the dead for 'not following instructions from the authorities'

Iranian protesters march in Tehran today to denounce the 'incompetence' of Saudi Arabia's handling of the Hajj pilgrimage 
Fury: Iranian protesters march in Tehran today to denounce the 'incompetence' of Saudi Arabia's handling of the Hajj pilgrimage 

An Iranian protestor holds a picture of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a demonstration against Saudi Arabia after 131 Iranians pilgrims were killed in a stampede at the annual Hajj  
Anger: An Iranian protestor holds a picture of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a demonstration against Saudi Arabia after 131 Iranians pilgrims were killed in a stampede at the annual Hajj 

Iranian protesters shout slogans and hold anti-US signs during a demonstration against Saudi Arabia at Enghelab square in Tehran after 131 Iranian pilgrims were killed in a stampede at the annual Hajj.
Outrage: Iranian protesters shout slogans and hold anti-US signs during a demonstration against Saudi Arabia at Enghelab square in Tehran after 131 Iranian pilgrims were killed in a stampede at the annual Hajj. Tehran has been deeply critical of the Saudi authorities over what they charge were flawed crowd control measures
at

No comments:

Post a Comment