Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede during Haj pilgrimage in Mina (near Mecca) in Saudi Arabia in which atleast 453 pilgrims have died and over 700 wounded.
"Distressing news from Mecca. Pained at loss of lives due to stampede. Condolences to families of the deceased & prayers with the injured," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
According to reports, the stampede occurred during the devil-stoning ritual where pilgrims throw pebbles at three walls in Mina.
Photos showed pilgrims lying on stretchers while emergency workers in high-visibility jackets lifted them into an ambulance.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said today that the Indian Consulate in Jeddah is continuously monitoring the post-stampede situation in the holy city of Mina.