The Hindu : Stampede victims identified

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 13, 2003

International

International

Stampede victims identified

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA (BAHRAIN) Feb.12. The stampede near Mina in Saudi Arabia in which three Indians were killed may have been caused by panic, which set in after surging crowds trampled some of the squatters who had partially blocked the main street close to the site where the Haj ritual, "stoning of Satan" was performed.

Three Indian women were among 14 killed.

The Saudi daily Arab News, citing official sources, said the three women who died were: Sarwar Fatima and Chand Bee from Andhra Pradesh and Khalida Mohammad from Malegaon in Maharashtra.

According to eyewitness accounts, squatters, some of whom were present with their luggage and other belongings, had confined the space along the street where the tragedy took place.

Some people were also sleeping on the side of the street when thousands of pilgrims, coming from opposite directions ran into each other, causing the crowds to swell suddenly.

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