Watch: Stampede kills hundreds at Hajj pilgrimage near Mecca

Saudi authorities say over 700 pilgrims were killed and at least 863 others injured in the stampede that took place when pilgrims were on their way to perform the “stoning of the devil” ritual in the holy city.

Saudi civil defense says it happened as two large groups of pilgrims arrived together at a main crossroads in the haj camp at Mina, east of Mecca.

Some 4,000 rescue workers have been dispatched to help the injured and to direct groups to alternate routes, as two million Muslims try to complete their pilgrimage.

The haj has been hit by disasters before and just two weeks ago, 110 people died in Mecca's Grand Mosque after a crane collapsed.