On January 12, 2006 (December 13, 2005 in the lunar calendar), a stampede occurred among pilgrims in Mecca. Workers remove pilgrims killed in a stampede near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, January 12, 2006. Saudi Health Minister Hamad bin Abdullah Mania said on the 12th that a crowded stampede occurred in the Islamic holy land of Mecca at noon that day, killing at least 345 people and injuring 289 others. Major General Tuleki, spokesman for security affairs of the Saudi Ministry of the Interior, issued a statement saying that at noon that day a large number of pilgrims poured into the Stoning Bridge area from the east entrance of the Stoning Bridge in the Holy Land of Mecca, eager to reach the Stoning Bridge and carry out stoning to exorcise evil spirits. Religious rituals, and many large transport vehicles carrying luggage of pilgrims also followed. During the journey, a large amount of luggage on the baggage cart fell from the cart and onto the road, causing road congestion. Thousands of pilgrims behind them did not know what was happening in front and continued to surge forward, resulting in a crowded stampede. After the incident, Saudi security forces quickly cordoned off the scene and isolated the Stone-stone Bridge from other areas. Security forces, civil defense police, medical staff, etc. immediately rescued the injured at the scene and transported the dead and injured to nearby hospitals. Tuleki said that the Ministry of the Interior will announce details of the stampede as soon as possible.