This was another preventable tragedy. It was caused by a failure in prevention and management. The haj has been the scene of several recent preventable disasters, including the deaths in stampedes of more than 1,700 pilgrims in 1990 and 1994. Last week more than 16,000 Saudi security agents patrolled the holy areas and roads leading to the holy sites and hundreds of police helicopters circled overhead. Security cameras installed on main roads, bridges and tunnels monitor pilgrims' movements to ensure that haj is policed and video-taped.
Saudi officials order the pilgrims to abide by security instructions.
More than 37,500 doctors, nurses, security agents, bakers, cleaners and garbage collectors are hired on short-term contracts every year to service the pilgrims.