TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Eighteen pilgrims have been injured in a stampede near Islam's holiest site, Saudi media reported Saturday, as the kingdom alleges it is reviewing safety after a deadly crush during last year's Hajj.
The incident happened Friday night near the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Al-Riyadh newspaper said, as Muslims gathered in large numbers to mark the Night of Destiny, one of the high points of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, AFP reported.
All the injured were treated at the scene and none required admission to hospital, the newspaper cited a health official as saying.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flock to Mecca to carry out the lesser umra pilgrimage during Ramadan – especially during its last 10 days.
The incident comes as Saudi authorities allege they are unveiling 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 ritual.
According to figures from foreign officials, at least 2,297 pilgrims died. Saudi Arabia issued a death toll of 769.
The Hajj and umra pilgrimages bring millions of Muslims to the holy places in Saudi Arabia every year.
