New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed pain at the loss of lives in stampede in Mecca and conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
"Distressing news from Mecca," tweeted Modi, who is in the USA on a six-day visit. "Pained at loss of lives due to the stampede. Condolences to families of the deceased & prayers with the injured," he added.
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Congress President Sonia Gandhi also expressed deep shock and distress over the deaths and injuries in a stampede in Mecca. Gandhi prayed for the well being of the Haj pilgrims and hoped that Indian citizens in Mina were safe.
At least 453 people were killed and 719 others injured on Thursday in a stampede during the Haj at Mina, near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, as per the latest information about one of the worst incidents in nearly a decade to hit the annual pilgrimage.
Over two million pilgrims, including more than 1.5 lakh Indians, are performing the Haj this year.
