PMB Hajj stampede survivor recounts disaster
A Pietermaritzburg businessman and volunteer, who was one of thousands caught in a stampede at the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has told Newswatch it was a traumatic experience.
Over 700 people were crushed to death in Mina, a short distance from the holy city Mecca yesterday, as Muslims around the world celebrated Eid.
According Saudi Arabian officials, the stampede was caused by overcrowding when two large groups of pilgrims arrived together at a crossroads.
Zaid Bayat is a volunteer with the organisation Khidmatul Awaam Pilgrim Services, that helps those participating in the Hajj.
Bayat, who arrived in the middle eastern country six weeks ago says he and the pilgrims in his group managed to find shelter in a camp for Moroccans just as the situation reached its peak.
"It was quite an uncomfortable situation and it was completely out of control. You're trying to catch your breath and at the same time sweating quite a bit. We just managed to get out. It was quite a difficult situation and every time you tried to go in a different , the crowd pushed you," he said.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman has that a review be conducted to assess safety for the Hajj pilgrimage.
The Hajj meanwhile is going ahead today with hundreds of pilgrims having gathered to throw stone at the pillars that symbolise the devil.
(Photo: Getty Images)