Pilgrim ritual ends in tragedy in Mecca

MECCA, Saudi Arabia — An Islamic pilgrimage ritual ended in tragedy Feb. 11. During the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, 14 pilgrims were crushed by crowds that had gathered to perform a stone-throwing ritual in Mina, a city not far from the city of Mecca, which is the holiest site in Islam. According to a Saudi news agency, two groups of pilgrims gathered together during the ritual and the ensuing chaos caused the 14 pilgrims to fall to the ground. Two other people were hospitalized with injuries. According to reports, the Mina site along the pilgrimage often causes dangerous bottlenecks. In the last five years, more than 200 people have died during the ritual, which commemorates a scene in Islamic scripture where Abraham is tempted by the devil. All Muslims are required to take the Hajj at least once in their lifetime.