Saudi officials accused of causing Hajj stampede by closing off roads for dignitaries - as country's health minister says deaths of 717 pilgrims was 'God's will'

The horrific crush, which also left hundreds wounded, happened when two giant waves of Muslims collided at an intersection near a holy site in Mina. Saudi health Minister Khaled al-Falih blamed victims for the disaster for failing to follow instructions, adding: 'This type of accident could have been avoided. However, this is God's will.' But pilgrims and Muslim groups hit back at the claims, accusing Saudi authorities of creating fatal bottlenecks by closing two roads being used by hundreds of thousands of worshippers.