Hundreds Dead Outside Mecca in Hajj Stampede

At least 717 people were killed in a stampede Thursday at the annual Islamic pilgrimage known as the hajj in Saudia Arabia.

Authorities say the stampede happened three miles from Islam's holy city of Mecca, where some 2 million people are taking part this year.

The incident is the deadliest disaster at the hajj since 2006, where more than 360 pilgrims were killed in a stampede in the same area. Another stampede at Mina in 2004 left 244 pilgrims dead and hundreds injured.

Saudi Arabia's directorate shared photos of Thursday's tragedy on its official Twitter account, showing rescue workers helping the wounded onto stretchers and loading them onto ambulances.

The stampede comes two weeks after a giant construction crane came crashing down on the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the focal point of the hajj

Authorities are working to find out what triggered the stampede.

How can you pray for Muslims during the Hajj? Click here for more.