Saudi blamed after hajj stampede kills 717

Blame shifted towards Saudi authorities on Friday after a crush at the hajj killed at least 717 people, in the worst tragedy to strike the annual Muslim pilgrimage in a quarter-century. The disaster, which also injured several hundred people, was the second deadly accident to hit worshippers this month, after a crane collapse in the holy city of Mecca killed more than 100. "There was no room to manoeuvre," said Aminu Abubakar, an AFP correspondent who was among the pilgrims.