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29^th September, 2015

Statement from

HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf Al Saud

Ambassador

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, London

The tragic accident at Mina during Hajj

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and families of the tragic accident that occurred at Mina on Thursday during the last day of Hajj, Eid Al Adha.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has visited the site of the accident. A full investigation into the cause of the tragedy has been ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior who is also Chairman of the Haj Higher Committee.

Following the tragedy Crown Prince Mohammed held an extraordinary meeting of Hajj security leaders to discuss the stampede. At the meeting a special high-level investigation committee was set up which will report its findings to King Salman. According to Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman, Major General Mansour Al-Turki, first reports indicate that many of Thursday's victims had taken the path towards Jamarat at a time not allocated to them, creating intense overcrowding at the intersection.

The Saudi Civil Defence authority has announced that 717 pilgrims died and 805 pilgrims were wounded in the stampede which occurred at 9am at the intersection of 204^th and 223^rd streets where pilgrims merge on their way to Mina. 4,000 civil defence staff and 220 ambulances and other vehicles responded to the incident.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has directed all the resources at its disposal to care for the victims, and complete the investigation.

There are no reports as yet that any British nationals were among the deceased or injured in this horrific accident. Saudi Arabia's competent authorities will provide further information about victims as the investigation develops.

False accusations have been made by Iranian controlled media sources about the cause of the accident.   Claims that the stampede occurred following road closures because of a ministerial event or a dignitaries' convoy are malicious and completely untrue. In a statement to the press Interior Ministry spokesman, Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki, categorically denied that a senior official's convoy contributed to the crowd congestion and pointed out that senior dignitaries vehicles did not travel through the area where the tragedy occurred.  

 We urge everyone to check the veracity of any information they are given and ask the media to report the situation on the ground objectively and fairly.

May the Almighty grant all those who have lost their lives His blessings and eternal peace and comfort all those who have been affected.