Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Abdul Rahim Mourad pointed to recent tragedies during the Hajj, including a deadly crush in Mina, near Mecca, which killed about 4,700 pilgrims, and an earlier collapse of a large crane in Mecca, saying that this is not the first time that such incidents occur in the Hajj season.
“This year, there were two incidents happened… and they necessitate detailed investigations,” the former minister said.
According to Iranian officials, about 4,700 pilgrims were killed in the Thursday crush in Mina when performing religious rites. So far, at least 239 Iranian pilgrims are confirmed to have died in the tragic event.
The incident 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, including 11 Iranians, and injuring 201 others.
Hajj, the world’s largest annual gathering of people, has already witnessed numerous deadly crushes, fires and other incidents in the past.
Saudi authorities have come under fire for their inability to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who converge on Mecca every year.