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Saudi govt. to investigate Mina stampede

Members of Saudi civil defense 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 published on Twitter account of the Directorate of the Saudi Civil Defense September 24, 2015. REUTERS/Directorate of the Saudi Civil Defense/Handout via Reuters

The Saudi government on Friday said it would set up a committee to investigate the causes of Mina stampede.

More than 747 Muslims lost their lives while 804 others were injured in the stampede on the road leading to Jamarat (stoning site) on Thursday.

Three Nigerians were reported to be among those that lost their lives in the stampede.

Prince Mohammed bin Naif, who directed the formation of the committee after a meeting with top hajj security officials, said findings of the committee would be submitted to King Salman bin Abdulazaiz.

He said that the authority would not hesitate to address reasons for the stampede whatever the cost may be.

He also assured the public that the country would also provide measures to ensure safety and security of pilgrims always, especially during hajj.

Meanwhile, security personnel have started removing pilgrims’ tents at the site of the stampede to create space for easier access to Jamarat.

“As you see, the space is very small, we need to facilitate transportation. We did not remove all the tents, but some of them must be removed,’’ a security officer in Mina said, pleading anonymity.