Stampede near Grand Mosque injures 18

RIYADH: Eighteen pilgrims have been injured in a stampede near the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi media reported on Saturday, as the kingdom continues to review safety after a deadly crush during last year’s Hajj.

The incident happened Friday night, the Al Riyadh newspaper said, as Muslims gathered in large numbers to mark Shab-e-Qadar (the Night of Destiny), one of the high points of Ramazan. All the injured were treated at the scene and none required admission to hospital, the newspaper cited a health official as saying.

The incident comes as Saudi authorities continue to unveil new safety measures for this year’s Hajj in September.

A crush at last year’s Hajj killed more than 2,000 pilgrims in the worst disaster to ever strike the annual pilgrimage. According to figures from foreign officials, at least 2,297 pilgrims died. Saudi Arabia issued a death toll of 769.

Newspapers reported on Friday that, among new security measures, Hajj pilgrims this year will have to wear an electronic safety bracelet to store their personal information, including address and medical records.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2016.