Makkah stampede: 14 Indian Haj pilgrims dead, 13 injured

At least 14 Indian Haj pilgrims were among the over 700 killed in Thursday's stampede in Makkah in Saudi Arabia, while 13 Indians are injured, the government said.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Friday: "Our Consul General Jeddah reports loss of 14 Indian lives in stampede. We have 13 injured in hospital."

Sushma, who is in the US, said: "The exact number will be known after confirmation by Saudi authorities."

At least 717 people have been confirmed dead as of now in the Thursday's stampede, the worst tragedy to hit the world's holiest Muslim pilgrimage in 25 years, while over 800 are injured.

Earlier, she said that "Indian volunteers have reached in large numbers and are assisting the local authorities" at Makkah.

The disaster that took place on the first day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice.

Thursday's stampede took place barely two weeks after a massive crane fell in Makkah's grand mosque, killing over 100 people and injuring over 200. Eleven of the dead were Indians. - IANS