Members of Saudi civil defense try to rescue pilgrims following a crush caused by large numbers of people pushing at Mina.

Tragedy struck Mina on Thursday morning when more than 310 pilgrims died in a stampede on the way to the Jamrat complex.

Saudi Civil Defense forces said more than 450 were injured. The exact cause of the accident could not be determined easily.

Many of the injured were in semiconscious state. The harsh summer weather has only added to the problem. The injured were not in a position to speak.

Sirens were wailing as the ambulances brought in the injured. Hundreds of Saudi security forces and Haj volunteers are at hand helping the injured.

Most of the injured were taken to Mina Emergency Hospital. Other were also rushed to the hospitals in Makkah.

The Jamrat area, where the pilgrims have to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual, has seen stampedes in the past. But the Saudi authorities have expanded the area by constructing a multilayered complex to ease the flow of pilgrims.

The pilgrims had spent the night in Muzdalifa and had come to Mina to throw seven pea-sized stoned at one of the three wall-like structures.

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