Iranian Official Criticizes Riyadh for Failing to Ensure Safety for Hajj Pilgrims
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian criticized Saudi authorities for their failure to prevent Thursday’s stampede in Mina, outside Mecca, which led to the death of tens of pilgrims, including 43 Iranians.
More than 450 pilgrims were killed and nearly 800 others injured in a stampede during Hajj pilgrimage rituals outside the holy city of Mecca.
“Saudi Arabian officials are to blame for the incident,” Amir Abdollahian said Thursday, stressing that their lack of prudence in providing security for pilgrims is “non-negligible”.
He further urged Saudi authorities to take effective measures for managing the crisis and ensure full safety for the pilgrims.
Amir Abdollahian further noted that the Iranian foreign ministry has formed a special committee for the immediate consideration of Iranian pilgrims’ conditions.
“The (Iranian) embassy, consulate general, Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, and all related bodies of our country in Mecca are immediately taking care of the injured pilgrims under direct supervision of Supreme Leader’s representative and supervisor of Iranian pilgrims,” he added.
The pilgrims were killed in a crush at Mina, outside the holy city, where some two million Muslims are performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi media reported.
It came nearly two weeks after tens of Hajj pilgrims were killed in another tragic incident in Mecca.
On September 11, a massive construction crane crashed into Mecca’s Grand Mosque in stormy weather, killing at least 107 people and injuring 201 others.
Saudi authorities have been blasted for their failure to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who converge on Mecca for Hajj every year.
