Bangladesh mission opens hotlines for its nationals in Saudi Arabia after stampede deaths

Bangladesh mission in Saudi Arabia has opened hotlines as the death toll from the stampede of pilgrims during the Hajj on Thursday continues to rise.

Ambassador Golam Masih told bdnews24.com they rushed an officer to the hospital to ascertain whether any Bangladeshis were among the victims.

Reuters reported the number of deaths has risen to 717. At least 863 more have been injured in one of the worst incidents in the Hajj history.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam in a Facebook post said one of the Bangladesh officers reached the Mina hospital.

“Bodies arriving at hospital and authority wouldn't let anyone in,” he wrote, adding that the foreign ministry would update families as soon as hospital authority releases information.

The hotlines for seeking assistance are [phone] and [phone].