Haj stampede’s death toll increases to over 2,000 pilgrims

The death toll from last month’s haj stampede has topped 2,000, according to tallies given by foreign officials, making it the deadliest disaster in the pilgrimage’s history by far.

The death toll from last month’s haj stampede has topped 2,000, according to tallies given by foreign officials, making it the deadliest disaster in the pilgrimage’s history by far.

Members of Saudi civil defence try to rescue pilgrims following a crush caused by large numbers of people pushing at Mina, outside the Muslim holy city of Mecca in this handout picture. (Saudi Civil Defence/ Reuters Photo)

Saudi Arabia has yet to provide an updated death toll after saying 769 people died in the tragedy near Mecca, home to Islam’s holiest sites.

But figures given by more than 30 governments around the world show that at least 2,097 foreign pilgrims died, according to an AFP tally.

Saudi authorities have not given a toll for any deaths among their own nationals.

The loss of life in the September 24 disaster exceeds the number of pilgrims (1,426) who died in haj’s worst previous incident -- a tunnel stampede in July 1990.