A group of Malian families who lost loved ones in the September 2015 Mina stampede in Mecca have criticized the Saudi Arabian government’s response to the disaster. 320 of the at least 2,426 pilgrims who died during the Hajj were from Mali in West Africa.
Marcel Ceccaldi, a lawyer representing the families, told reporters that they are considering taking legal action against the Saudi government, both in Mali and at the European Union.
The Malian government and the travel agencies which organized the Hajj trips for the pilgrims are also accused by the families of inadequate responses to the disaster. Malick Konate, the leader of the families, said that only 40 death certificates had been secured so far.
Konate also claimed that Malian state television had censored the group when they attempted to put their messages across.
Despite most counts topping well over 2,000 dead, the Saudi government continues to assert that the death toll stands at only 769.
