Mecca stampede: Mufti Sayeed and Omar Abdullah express grief over loss of lives

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Thursday expressed profound grief over the tragedy in Mecca which left over 450 pilgrims dead and several hundred others injured.

In his condolence message, the Chief Minister expressed solidarity with the bereaved families in their hour of grief and prayed for peace to the departed souls. He also wished speedy recovery to all those Hajjis who sustained injuries in the stampede at Mina, outside the holy city of Mecca, where millions perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Sayeed also prayed for safety and security of Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, who are in Saudi Arabia and directed the State Hajj Committee to keep their relatives informed about their safety and well being in the Holy Land.

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah also said the news of the stampede was tragic.

Tragic news coming out of #Mecca. Prayers with the injured & with the loved ones of the deceased.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) September 24, 2015

Congress' state unit president Ghulam Ahmad Mir termed the incident as most "unfortunate".

"This incident has disturbed and dismayed me enough. I offer my condolences to the bereaved families and sympathise with them. I also pray for eternal peace to the departed souls," he said.

At least 453 people were killed and 730 others, including two Indians, injured on Thursday in a stampede during the Haj at Mina, near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the worst incident in nearly a decade to hit the annual pilgrimage that reached its climax.

The tragedy occurred due to a sudden rush of the pilgrims on Street 204 in Mina where they perform a symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing pebbles against three stone walls. Over two million pilgrims, including more than 1.5 lakh Indians, are performing the Haj this year.