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Hajj crush death toll rises to over 750

The death toll following a crush at the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia is now 769 and the number of injured has risen to 934.

Witnesses claimed police had closed entrances and exits to the pilgrims' camp, making the disaster inevitable, while Iran's Supreme Leader accused authorities of "mismanagement".

King Salman has ordered an immediate review into safety procedures.

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Saudi cleric: Hajj crush beyond 'human control'

Emergency aid workers at the scene of the disaster Credit: audi Red Crescent Authority

A crush at the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca which killed more than 700 people was "beyond human control, according to Saudi Arabia's grand mufti.

According to the Saudi Press Agency the senior cleric told the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef he was not to blame for the tragedy as "fate and destiny are inevitable".

He said: "You are not responsible for what happened because you exerted beneficial reasons in your hands and your ability.

"As for the things that humans cannot control, you are not blamed for them. Fate and destiny are inevitable."

The comments come following criticism by Iran this week that Saudi authorities were responsible for a lack of "crowd management" at the event.

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