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Iranian Hajj Toll Reaches 169

Iranian Hajj Toll Reaches 169
Iranian Hajj Toll Reaches 169

The death toll of Iranian pilgrims has reached 169, said deputy head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization on Monday.

Hamid Mohammadi told IRNA that the number of injured and missing Iranian pilgrims in Thursday’s stampede is 46 and 298 respectively.

Meanwhile, a delegation headed by Health Minister Hassan Hashemi left for Jeddah on Monday to oversee relief operations of the injured pilgrims, said Iraj Harirchi, spokesman at the ministry.

Pilgrims were on way to Jamarat to perform the Stoning of the Devil ritual as part of the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, when the tragedy occurred.

The bodies of 135 Iranian pilgrims are expected to arrive Tuesday evening, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, deputy foreign minister for Arab and African countries, was quoted by ISNA as saying.

He said Saudi officials are expected to cooperate in identifying the missing and transferring the deceased to Iran.

 

Financialtribune.com