The body of former ambassador to Lebanon, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, who went missing after the September 24 crush during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has been identified and is to be transferred to Iran today.
Fars New Agency quoted an informed source as saying on Wednesday, "After conducting DNA tests and examining evidence and images, it was established that Roknabadi died in the Mina disaster."
The source said the legal process of transferring the ex-diplomat's body to Iran was underway, adding that final DNA tests would be carried out in Iran.
The crush took place after two large masses of pilgrims arrived together at a crossroads in Mina, a few kilometers east of the holy city of Mecca, on their way to participate in the symbolic stoning of Satan in Jamarat.
Saudi Arabia claims nearly 770 people were killed in the incident, but officials of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization say about 4,700 people, including over 460 Iranians, lost their lives in the stampede.
