RIYADH: Several diplomats here expressed their grief over the Mina tragedy that killed hundreds of pilgrims and injured many others on their way to Jamrat.

They however commended the efforts of the rescue teams to limit the number of deaths and injuries. They said Saudi Arabia has been taking all efforts and huge resources in providing the best service to the pilgrims and the holy sites.

“I was greatly saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life among pilgrims carrying out Haj rituals on Thursday in Makkah,” said the US Ambassador Joseph Westphal.

Expressing his sorrow, Westphal extended his condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Saudi people, and to all those who lost loved ones in this accident.

The Chinese Embassy also conveyed President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi condolence message to King Salman and to the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir.

“We learned with sorrow the stampede in Mina that lead to the loss of a number of victims and injuries. We would like express our warm condolence to the families of the deceased and our sincere sympathy to the injured,” President Limping said in a statement.

“On behalf of the Belgian Government and the Belgian community in Saudi Arabia, I express my heartfelt sadness for the tragic accident in Mina on Sept. 24. I present my deepest condolences to King Salman, as well as to the Government and the people of the Kingdom which provided immediate care and support to the affected pilgrims,” said Geert Criel, ambassador of Belgium.

“My thoughts of solidarity and sympathy go out to the families and friends of the victims of this tragedy,” he added.

South Africa Ambassador Mogamat Sadick Jaffer also sent his condolence through Arab News saying, “the stampede at Mina is indeed a great tragedy. Our sincere condolences go to the families of the deceased and the Saudi nation.

Jaffer said the efforts of the rescue workers to attempt to limit the deaths and injuries are commended. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tragedy. May the deceased enter paradise,” he added.

“This incident will not diminish the great efforts Saudi Arabia is doing to serve the pilgrims,” said the dean of the Diplomatic Corps to Saudi Arabia, Djibouti Ambassador Dya-eddin Said Bamakhrama.

“I offer my warm condolences to King Salman for the sad stampede in Mina, which claimed the lives of many pilgrims as well as to the families of the martyrs praying to God for their forgiveness and mercy,” said Bamakhrama.

According to him, his country’s President Ismail Oman Guelph has also sent condolences and sympathy to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on this tragic incident where he confirmed that the Kingdom has been doing its best in serving Haj pilgrims at the holy sites.

Portuguese Ambassador Manuel Carvalho also expressed sorrow at the tragic loss of life in the stamped and said his thoughts are with the victims as well as with those who are doing their utmost in providing assistance.

He said the Portuguese Prime Minister sent a message of condolences to King Salman to express grief and sympathy.