Saudi Arabia’s king has ordered a review of hajj safety measures after 717 pilgrims were killed and more than 800 others injured during a stampede near Mecca on Thursday. “We have instructed concerned authorities to review the operations plan and to raise the level of organization and management to ensure that the guests of God perform their rituals in comfort and ease,” King Salman said. Authorities say the cause of the stampede is not yet known. A sizable number of the victims were Iranian.
