MINA, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Saudi officials say police could not have done more to prevent a wild stampede during a Muslim pilgrimage in which at least 345 people died.
Hundreds more people were injured as pilgrims sought to complete a stone-throwing ritual near Mecca before sunset Thursday, the BBC reported. The ritual in Mina has seen many lethal stampedes but the number of dead this time is the highest in 16 years.
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said tighter controls on the massive crowds could have caused more deaths.
The stampede took place at the foot of the bridge of Jamarat, where pilgrims hurl stones at three pillars representing the spot where the devil is said to have appeared to Abraham.
Officials said the crush happened after pieces of luggage spilled from moving buses in front of one of the entrances to the bridge, causing pilgrims to trip.
