President Hu Jintao on Sunday ordered the Chinese diplomatic staff in Saudi Arabia to help Saudi authorities look for Chinese citizens missing in the stampede near Mecca and render assistance to the victims.

Hu, on a state visit in Gabon, directed the Chinese embassy in Riyadh and the consul general in Djidda to "take every measure necessary" to assist the Saudi authorities in searching for Chinese citizens missing in the accident, treat the injured and make funeral and related arrangements for the deceased.

Hu also sent condolences to Saudi King Fahd Ibn Abdul-Aziz over the accident.

At least 244 people were trampled to death and the same number injured on Sunday during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The incident occurred during a ritual stoning of a pillar representing the devil.

Around two million pilgrims had flocked to the Jamarat Bridge in Mena to perform the ritual.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2004)