Chron.com | Measures to Prevent Hajj Stampedes

According to this AP article printed by the Houston Chronicle, there have been measures taken since 1994 by Saudi officials to try to control the flow of pilgrims intent upon the ritual stoning of the devil, and more improvements are planned, in an effort to prevent trampling deaths. But many pilgrims ignore the directions, or accidents happen, with sometimes horrifying results, as today's death toll testifies. (As of now, the death toll for the most recent stampede is at 345).