MINA, Saudi Arabia: Saudi officials denied that police could have done more to prevent a stampede during the Hajj pilgrimage in which at least 345 people have been died.

According to Health Minister Hamad Al-Maneh 289 others were injured in the stampede, which happened as pilgrims sought to complete a stone-throwing ritual near Makkah before sunset, and taken to hospital. The number of injured does not include those treated on the scene, he said.

A spokesman for the interior ministry said tighter controls on the massive crowds could have caused more deaths.

The ritual in Mina has seen many lethal stampedes but the number of dead this time is the highest in 16 years.

The stampede took place at the foot of the bridge of Jamarat, where pilgrims hurl stones at three pillars representing the spot where the devil appeared to Abraham.

Officials said the crush happened after pieces of luggage spilled from moving buses in front of one of the entrances to the bridge, causing pilgrims to trip.

Many of the victims were reportedly from south and South East Asia. The AP quotes Pakistan Television as saying that over 35 of those died were Pakistani.

The latest deadly stampede comes days after more than 70 people died when a hostel for pilgrims collapsed in the Saudi city of Makkah.