Pilgrim dies, 150 injured in Madinah

Author: 
By a Staff Writer
Publication Date: 
Tue, 2002-02-05 03:00

RIYADH, 5 February — An elderly Turkish pilgrim died and 150 others were injured after slipping on the marble entrance to the Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city of Madinah, a newspaper reported yesterday.

The incident on Saturday evening was caused by heavy rain, which made the marble floor slippery, Al-Riyadh said.

Most of the injured, suffering from fractures, were treated in hospital and discharged, it added.

Authorities are considering covering the floor with carpets and building shelters to prevent such accidents happening again, Al-Riyadh said.

More than 350,000 faithful have already arrived in the Kingdom to perform Haj, which this year reaches its climax on Feb. 22.

Main category: 
Old Categories: