Death in stampede unacceptable

We are horror-stricken and outraged at the incident of stampede in Mina in which more than 700 hajj pilgrims died. The tragedy shook the whole world. Why did this happen? Why did the Saudi government not take proper safety measures to protect the pilgrims?

From the September 30, 2015 issue of The Daily Star, we learnt what actually happened on that day. We have learnt that the Saudi security personnel were forcing the pilgrims out of a bridge at two points. They were doing it to provide security to a Royal guest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They asked the pilgrims to make space for the Saudi prince and his companions. As there was a huge crowd, the situation turned chaotic.

It is clear that Saudi Arabia is solely responsible for this tragedy. So the Saudi government must apologise to the families of the victims as well as make sure that this does 
not happen in the future.

Nur Jahan, Chittagong