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Chinese Pilgrims Safe at Mecca, Ready to Return
No Chinese pilgrims were killed or injured in a stampede that crushed 35 to death near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia on Monday.
"We have contacted the Chinese embassy in Saudi Arabia and are told that after the clear-up, there was no Chinese pilgrims among the killed or injured," said Muhammed Sayed Ma Yunfu, vice president of the China Islamic Association.
Over 2,000 Chinese Muslims are making pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, which they consider the greatest achievement of their lives. Among this year's pilgrims, some 200 are guests of the King of Saudi Arabia, the first time in history.
Twenty-three women and 12 men of various nationalities were crushed to death during a devil-stoning ritual at Jamarat Bridge near Mecca. It was at the same place that nearly 120 people, including Saudi police, were killed in a stampede in 1998. In 1997, 343 pilgrims were killed when a fire broke out in the tents they were staying in.
A team of 12 staff from the association has helped to take care of the boarding and security of the pilgrims, according to Ma.
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