Security increased at haj site as death toll from tragedy rises to 769

Mecca

SAUDI Arabia deployed large numbers of security reinforcements on Saturday as pilgrims performed the final rituals of a haj marred by double tragedy, with the death toll from a stampede rising to 769.

The kingdom's leaders have ordered an inquiry into the disaster - the deadliest to strike the annual Muslim pilgrimage in a quarter-century - and a "revision" of its organisation, with the deaths raising tensions with regional rival Iran as well.