Hajj Stampede

[BlueMeanie]

At least 340 killed in a hajj-related stampede today. To go along with the 1400+ who died in '90 and the 240+ trampled in '04.

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060112075509990001&ncid=NWS00010000000001

(And please spare us the "See, if we had only done what Ann Coulter suggested and converted them all to Christianity, they'd still be alive" comments... )

PS--in case anyone needs back ref, here's the thread Doyle made a couple years ago (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94412) about the last stampede...

[prk166]

Was it only men?

[DJPoopypants]

Most of us are consistent, at least. If 300+ Christian fundies trampled each other, we'd laugh at that, too. Especially if Pat was on the bottom of the ********ing pile.

Perhaps.

But claiming the dead here are all "fundies" is as ridiculous as claiming the dead at Ibrox/Heysel etc were all hooligans.

[nsa]

At least 340 killed in a hajj-related stampede today. To go along with the 1400+ who died in '90 and the 240+ trampled in '04.
...I'm sorry for their families.

[christopher d]

Thread's a wee bit shorter now. Let's keep it respectful both to those who lost loved ones as well as to those for whom this ritual is an integral part of their religion. Thanks.

[YankHibee]

A sad situation. I've always thought the Hajj must be one of the most amazing experiences one could have. Hopefully steps to prevent any more of these are coming.

[#10 Jersey]

It is very sad and I feel for their families.

[DemmahoM]

Unfortunatley Stampedes at the Hajj are unavoidable..

[bigredfutbol]

Unfortunatley Stampedes at the Hajj are unavoidable..

Is it poorly organized? I realize it's a large number of people, but that alone shouldn't make it unavoidable.

[Saudi64]

It's hard to place 3 million people in a small area from 12 noon till 5. The entire area they stay in is a small area, which is big as New Jersey. All the 3 million people also do the same thing at the same time, they all do the rituals at the same time.