Britain sends response teams to Mecca after hundreds die in Hajj stampede
The Foreign Office is sending additional staff to Saudi Arabia following the deaths of more than 700 people in a stampede at the Hajj pilgrimage.
As the death toll continues to rise, the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said staff remain in close contact with the Saudi authorities and tour operators, and are checking hospitals and other locations to urgently gather information about British nationals who may require assistance.
"We are also deploying further staff from the region to bolster our response," he said.
"I was saddened to hear of the enormous loss of life in Mecca. My thoughts are with families and victims at this difficult time. Such a significant tragedy will affect Muslims across the world who take part in the Hajj pilgrimage."
The stampede happened as two million pilgrims were taking part in the last major rite of the Hajj near the Islamic holy city of Mecca. Around 25,000 Muslims travelled to Saudi Arabia from Britain.
The crush occurred during the ritual known as ‘stoning the devil’ in the tent city of Mina, about two miles from Mecca.
As well as the 717 confirmed dead, more than 800 others were injured when two large groups of pilgrims converged from different directions on to one street.
The annnual Hajj pilgrimage has been plagued by tragedies despite attempts by Saudi authorities to improve safety.
In 1990, 1,426 pilgrims died in a stampede in a tunnel leading to the holy sites and 270 died in a stampede four years later.
In 1997, 340 pilgrims were killed when fire fuelled by high winds swept through Mina’s tent city and in 2006 another stampede killed 364.
Earlier this month, 109 people were killed when a crane collapsed at the Holy Mosque in Makkah during preparations for the event.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps