UN secretary general condoles deaths of pilgrims in stampede near Mecca

NEW YORK: UN secretary general Ban ki-Moon on Thursday expressed grief over the deaths of Haj pilgrims in a stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
"This tragic incident is all the more distressing as it took place on the first day of the Holy Eid Al-Adha marking the end of the annual Hajj season," a statement issued by his spokesman said.
"The Secretary-General extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his sympathies to all the Governments concerned," added the statement.