Hajj Stampede

Thousands of Muslim pilgrims in Mina, Saudi Arabia, were rushing to complete a symbolic stoning ritual and tripped over baggage, causing a crush in which at least 345 people were killed and at least 1,000 were injured on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006.

Emergency vehicles attend the scene of a stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. A rush to complete one of the last events of the hajj resulted in a stampede in which at least 345 people were killed, the Interior Ministry said. More than 1,000 people were injured, according to the Saudi Red Crescent.

Saudi rescue workers gather the dead bodies in a truck in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Jan. 12, 2006. Tens of thousands of pilgrims were headed toward al-Jamarat, a series of three pillars representing the devil that the faithful pelt with stones to purge themselves of sin.

Saudi security officers and rescue men gather near dead bodies in Mina, Saudi Arabia Thursday Jan. 12, 2006. A rush to complete one of the last events of the hajj resulted in a stampede that killed 345 people and injured 1,000.

Saudi security officers and rescue men gather near dead bodies in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Jan. 12, 2006. The stampede occurred as tens of thousands of pilgrims headed toward al-Jamarat, a series of three pillars representing the devil that the faithful pelt with stones to purge themselves of sin.

A pilgrim survivor of a stampede reacts at the site in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. Thousands of Muslim pilgrims rushing to complete a symbolic stoning ritual during the hajj tripped over baggage, causing a crush in which at least 345 people were killed and at least 1,00 injured.

After having thrown their last 21 stones toward a pillar representing the devil, Muslim pilgrims prepare themselves to leave the Saudi Arabian city of Mina into Mecca, Islam's holiest shrine during the hajj on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006.

After having thrown their last 21 stones toward a pillar representing the devil, Muslim pilgrims rest before leaving the Saudi Arabian city of Mina to head for Mecca, Islam's holiest shrine during the hajj on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006.

Millions of Muslim pilgrims walk toward Jabal Al Rahma holy mountain, the mountain of forgiveness, in Arafat outside Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. More than two million pilgrims are headed to Arafat for the annual hajj, which is one of the most sacred duties of the Muslim faith, required at least once for every able bodied Muslim who can afford it.

Pakistani Muslim pilgrims gather at the top of Muzdalifah mountain, Saudi Arabia, during the annual hajj on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. More than 2 million Muslim pilgrims resumed the symbolic stoning of the devil, part of the final stage of the pilgrimage.

Muslim pilgrims rest after throwing their stones at a pillar representing the devil during the hajj in Mina, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006. After collecting 49 pebbles, the pilgrims threw seven of them at three symbolic pillars representing Satan. The ritual continues with 21 more stones cast on both Wednesday and Thursday.

After having their heads shaved symbolizing the completion of their Hajj pilgrimage, young Muslim pilgrims peer from a tent, during the hajj, in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. More than 2 million Muslim pilgrims resumed Wednesday the symbolic stoning of the devil, part of the final stage of the hajj.

Muslim pilgrims throw stones at a pillar representing the devil during the hajj in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. More than 2 million Muslim pilgrims resumed Wednesday the symbolic stoning of the devil, part of the final stage of the hajj.

Some Muslim pilgrims walk toward a pillar representing the devil to throw stones at it during the hajj in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. More than two million Muslim pilgrims resumed Wednesday the symbolic stoning of the devil, part of the final stage of the hajj.

A Saudi ambulance drives through a crowd of Muslim pilgrims leaving Jabal Al Rahma holy mountain, the mountain of forgiveness, in Arafat outside Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. More than 2 million Muslim pilgrims made the ascent to Mount Arafat, Islam's most sacred site, to pray Monday for salvation. Saudi Arabia's top cleric called for Islamic unity in the face of what he called the West's war on Islam.