India raises death toll for citizens killed in deadly hajj stampede to 18

Muslim pilgrims walk in a tunnel on their way to cast stones at Jamarrat pillars, a ritual that symbolises the stoning of Satan, during the annual pilgrimage, known as the hajj, in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) (The Associated Press)

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In this picture taken Thursday, Sept. 24, 2014, bodies of people crushed in Mina, Saudi Arabia during the annual hajj pilgrimage, are seen amongst belongings and empty water bottles. Hundreds were killed and injured, Saudi authorities said. The crush happened in Mina, a large valley about five kilometers (three miles) from the holy city of Mecca that has been the site of hajj stampedes in years past. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

A Saudi security guard sprays water over pilgrims to cool them down as they walk back to their tents after casting stones at Jamarrat pillars, a ritual that symbolises the stoning of Satan, during the annual pilgrimage, known as the hajj, in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) (The Associated Press)

MINA, Saudi Arabia – India's Foreign Ministry says that the number of Indian citizens confirmed killed in a deadly stampede in the midst of the hajj pilgrimage has risen from 14 to 18.

Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said Saturday in a press statement that his government was "working with Saudi authorities and family members" to confirm the identities of the deceased and expedite formalities for release of the bodies.

In the worst hajj disaster in a quarter century, at least 719 people were crushed or trampled to death, while 863 were injured when two huge waves of pilgrims converged Thursday on a street near a religious site in Mina. That followed an accident Sept. 11 in which a storm toppled a crane at the Grand Mosque in Mecca that killed 111 people.