Stampede at Mecca: MEA issues helpline numbers for Indian nationals

New Delhi: In an effort to reach out to Indians in Haj at Mina where stampede claimed over 300 lives, Ministry of External Affairs has released a few emergency numbers.

Official spokesperson of MEA, Vikas Swarup, has shared the emergency numbers on his Twitter page.

Our emergency Nos in Makkah continue to remain open: 00966125458000 00966125496000 Toll free number for pilgrims in Kingdom: 8002477786

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 24, 2015

At least 310 people were killed and 450 others injured today in a stampede during the Haj at Mina, near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, 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.

Officials at the Indian Consulate in Jeddah have said so far they have no information about any Indian casualty.

The Saudi civil defence authority said 310 people from different nationalities have died in the tragedy.

Rescue operations were underway after the stampede in Mina, where pilgrims were performing the symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing stones at the three pillars.

Eyewitnesses said the stampede happened at the entrance of the Jamarat bridge near Street 204, not inside of the area where the stoning pillars are.

Two teams of medical screening have been set up at the site of the incident. It was not clear what had caused the stampede.

"In my camp there were about 400 pilgrims. All of them are safe. But I am trying to make some calls and ascertain from other people," said Abid Rasool Khan, Chairman Minorities Panel, Andhra Pradesh.
(With PTI inputs)