“The Russian Orthodox Church shares the grief of those who as a result of this terrifying event lost their relatives and loved ones. I am asking you to send them words of support and wishes of mental strength and courage,” the patriarch said in his condolence message as quoted by his press office.
It was reported that a stampede occurred among Hajj participants in the Mina Valley not far from Mecca in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
As a result, more than 700 people have died and another 800 injured, the latest reports said.
None of the Russian pilgrims were killed or injured in the stampede, Rushan Abbyasov, first deputy chairman of the Russian Council of Muftis, told Interfax-Religion earlier.
