Some 244 pilgrims have been trampled to death during the "stoning of Satan" ritual at Mina, near Makka, during the annual hajj pilgrimage. Saudi Hajj Minister Iyad Madani revealed the figure from Sunday's incident. While pilgrims were stoning a pillar symbolising Satan, several people fell, said a ministry spokesman in a statement carried by the state news agency, SPA. Early on Sunday nearly two million Muslims began casting pebbles at pillars representing the devil in the last stage of the hajj, in a ritual which regularly causes fatal stampedes because of the large numbers involved. Police deployed en masse tried to keep the ceremony orderly with frequent warnings through loudspeakers, while a helicopter hovered overhead. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Saudi medics carry a wounded pilgrim in the city of Mena during the third day of Haj in Saudi Arabia February 1, 2004. (Suhaib Salem/Reuters)