Iranian Pilgrims’ Final Death Toll in Mina Crush 464: Hajj Organization
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization on Thursday put the final number of Iranian pilgrims killed in a recent deadly crush in Mina, Saudi Arabia, at 464.
After searching all hospitals and medical centers in the Saudi cities of Mecca, Jeddah, and Taif as well as the districts of Mina and Arafat for seven days, the status of the pilgrims who were injured in the incident is now completely determined, the organization said in its Thursday statement.
The number of Iranian pilgrims who died while doing their Hajj rituals is announced to be 464, the statement added.
The organization further condoled with the bereaved families of the victims, and vowed to do its best and tap into all of its capacities to return the bodies of all pilgrims back to the country as soon as possible.
According to Iranian officials, about 4,700 pilgrims were killed in the crush in Mina on September 24 when performing religious rites. The incident marked the worst Hajj disaster in 25 years.
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.
Saudi authorities came under fire for their inability to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who converge on Mecca every year.
